Spinal epidural abscess is a rare condition requiring prompt diagnosis and neurosurgical intervention if permanent neurological sequelae are be avoided. A patient is described who presented with meningism due to an acute spinal epidural abscess extending from the cervical to the lumbar region and which was managed non-operatively.

The presentation of a psoas abscess is commonly seen in conjunction with infection, especially tuberculous. Involvement of the psoas muscles with tumour, however, is extremely rare. We present a case in which adenocarcinoma of unknown primary site infiltrated the psoas muscle, thus mimicking a psoas abscess. A review of this unusual tumour type is discussed.

Gold compounds have been successfully used for over 50 years in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, but their mechanism of action is unknown. The main disadvantage is the frequent occurrence of side effects which often necessitate discontinuation of therapy. Recently, there have been reports of reduction in immunoglobulin levels in patients on gold treatment; we report a further case of hypoglobulinaemia associated with gold therapy and recommend that immunoglobulins be monitored prior to and during treatment.