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Series:   Elements in Emergency Neurosurgery

Spinal Discitis and Epidural Abscess

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 September 2024

Damjan Veljanoski  and
Pragnesh Bhatt
Damjan Veljanoski
Affiliation:
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Pragnesh Bhatt
Affiliation:
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and University of Aberdeen

Summary

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.
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Keywords

spinal infectionspondylodiscitisspinal epidural abscessvertebral osteomyelitisdiscitis
Type
Element
Information
Series: Elements in Emergency Neurosurgery
Online ISBN: 9781009409391
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication: 03 October 2024

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Spinal Discitis and Epidural Abscess
  • Damjan Veljanoski, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Pragnesh Bhatt, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and University of Aberdeen
  • Online ISBN: 9781009409391
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Spinal Discitis and Epidural Abscess
  • Damjan Veljanoski, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Pragnesh Bhatt, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and University of Aberdeen
  • Online ISBN: 9781009409391
Available formats
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Spinal Discitis and Epidural Abscess
  • Damjan Veljanoski, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Pragnesh Bhatt, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and University of Aberdeen
  • Online ISBN: 9781009409391
Available formats
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