title: Imaging of infectious spinal disorders in children and adults.
abstract: The aim of this review article is to outline the imaging of infectious disorders of the spine in adults and children. The clinical presentation, potential routes of infection and the pathogens commonly identified are discussed. The value of different imaging modalities in the diagnosis of spinal infection is presented including radiographic, CT, MR imaging and Nuclear Medicine including PET. The use of image guided techniques for diagnosis and subsequent treatment is briefly covered. The major differential diagnoses of infectious disorders of the spine are identified and contrasted with the typical findings in infection. The use of follow up imaging is evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham B31 2AP, United Kingdom. jamesslj@email.com
authors.forename: S L J
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D020314:Central Nervous System Fungal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011859:Radiography; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000175:diagnosis