Spine infections

• Published in: Neuroimaging clinics of North America Vol. 22; no. 4; p. 755
• Main Authors: Go, John L, Rothman, Stephen, Prosper, Ashley, Silbergleit, Richard, Lerner, Alexander
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.11.2012
• Subjects: Bacterial Infections - complications; Bacterial Infections - diagnosis; Bacterial Infections - etiology; Central Nervous System Parasitic Infections - complications; Central Nervous System Parasitic Infections - diagnosis; Central Nervous System Parasitic Infections - etiology; Diagnosis, Differential; Discitis - complications; Discitis - diagnosis; Discitis - etiology; Disease Progression; Early Diagnosis; Humans; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Mycoses - complications; Mycoses - diagnosis; Mycoses - etiology; Prognosis; Spinal Cord - pathology; Spinal Cord Diseases - complications; Spinal Cord Diseases - diagnosis; Spine - pathology; Spondylitis - complications; Spondylitis - diagnosis; Spondylitis - etiology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Tuberculosis, Spinal - complications; Tuberculosis, Spinal - diagnosis; Tuberculosis, Spinal - etiology
• ISSN: 1557-9867
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nic.2012.06.002

Infections of the spine represent a rare but potentially debilitating and neurologically devastating condition for patients. Early diagnosis, imaging, and intervention may prevent some of the more critical complications that may ensue from this disease process, including alignment abnormalities, central canal compromise, nerve root impingement, vascular complications, and spinal cord injury. This article reviews the underlying pathophysiologic basis of infection, clinical manifestations, and imaging modalities used to diagnose infections of the spine and spinal cord.