Oesophageal pleural fistula presenting with Parvimonas micra infection causing cervical and brain abscesses

•P. micra causing serious spinal epidural and brain abscesses.•Broad-range 16S rDNA PCR analysis is an essential diagnostic tool.•Oesophageal pleural fistula as infection route.

Parvimonas micra (P. micra) infections causing spinal cord compression are extremely rare. We report an occult oesophageal pleural fistula presenting with spinal epidural and brain abscesses resulting in severe neurological deficits caused by P. micra. Molecular detection proved to be instrumental in identifying the causative pathogen. Essential management with decompression, drainage, antibiotics and fistula repair lead to a good outcome.