Spinal Discitis and Epidural Abscess

Spinal infections (SI) affect disc, vertebral, and adjacent tissues. Diagnosis delayed due to nonspecific symptoms, must suspect SI early.

Damjan Veljanoski (Author), Pragnesh Bhatt (Author)

9781009409407, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 3 October 2024

32 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 0.2 cm, 0.07 kg

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.

1. Clinical Scenarios
2. Definitions
3. Core Knowledge
4. Typical Clinical Pathways and Any Possible Variations
5. Diagnostic Pitfalls and Clinical Pearls
6. Technical Notes and Surgical Pearls.

Subject Areas: Accident & emergency medicine [MMK]