Frequency In the last 2-3 decades, the yearly incidence of spinal epidural abscess has increased from 0.2-1 cases per 10,000 hospital admissions to 2.5-5.1 instances per 10,000 admissions. This increase may be due to more effective treatment or just better detection because symptoms can be very nonspecific. Spinal epidural abscess is a rare but serious infection that can spread through your body like a chain reaction. It starts in your spine and then spreads like a tumor to other parts of your body. If not treated properly, it could lead to death. About half of all people who develop an epidural abscess will die within two years, even with appropriate treatment. The other half makes a full recovery with medication and surgery. Epidural abscesses usually arise after someone experiences pain when their back muscles are weakened by illness or injury. They most often occur in adults over 40 years old who have existing problems with their spines such as scoliosis (skewiness of the spine) or degenerative disc disease. Women are also more likely to suffer from spinal epidural abscess than men. Race does not seem to play a role in its occurrence. The diagnosis of spinal epidural abscess requires that several conditions be met.