title: Epidural spinal infection in intravenous drug abusers.
abstract: The incidence of spinal epidural abscess and disk space infection appears to be rising in intravenous drug-using patients. We report 18 cases seen over three years in two municipal hospitals. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common infective agent, but two patients had Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Computed tomography of the spine facilitates diagnosis. Early treatment improves outcome but host factors play a role in recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, New York Medical College, Valhalla.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Koppel
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Tuchman
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Mangiardi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daras
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Weitzner
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D004824:Epidural Space; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy