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2 results

Spinal Discitis and Epidural Abscess

Spinal Discitis and Epidural Abscess
  • Damjan Veljanoski, Pragnesh Bhatt
  • Published online:
    03 September 2024
    Print publication:
    03 October 2024
  • Spinal infections (SIs) are rare conditions affecting the intervertebral disc, vertebral body and/or adjacent spinal tissues. The lumbar region is most commonly involved, followed by the thoracic and cervical regions. Patients present with varied, non-specific clinical features leading to diagnostic and treatment delays. Clinicians need to have a low threshold to suspect SI. In this Element, two real-life cases of patients with SIs will be presented first. Core knowledge will be reviewed next, followed by diagnostic pitfalls and clinical pearls. Finally, the 'typical' clinical workflow for a patient with SI will be presented and the various treatment options will be explored.

  • 40 - MRI of the Spine

  • from PART IV - MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
  • Edited by J. Christian Fox, University of California, Irvine
  • Book:
    Clinical Emergency Radiology
    Published online:
    07 December 2009
    Print publication:
    29 September 2008, pp 538-559

  • Summary

    Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become accepted as the most sensitive imaging modality for the study of spine pathology. MRI has several major advantages over other imaging modalities that often make it the most sensitive diagnostic tool for common spine pathology. MRI does not use high-energy ionizing radiation like its counterparts, computed tomography (CT) and X-rays, which are associated with long-term cancer risks. Plain films or CT may be able to visualize bone fractures or dislocations in trauma patients, but are unable to detect associated traumatic disc herniations and occult ligamentous injuries that can only be picked up by MRI. MRI is also the best modality to detect early infection and to evaluate the full extent of potentially life-threatening lesions affecting the spine, such as osteomyelitis, discitis, epidural abscess, and myelitis. MR safety continues to evolve with the proliferation of more sophisticated implant and monitoring devices.