An unusual cause of an epidural abscess

The importance of sexual history, that is often omitted, for the symptoms of localized back pain and fever, which may indicate an epidural abscess or vertebral osteomyelitis, is discussed. In this case, Neisseria (N) gonorrhoeae was isolated from the wrist and rectum confirming disseminated gonococcal infection, which was temporarily associated with an epidural abscess.