title: Spine infections.
abstract: Infections of the spine represent a rare but potentially debilitating and neurologically devastating condition for patients. Early diagnosis, imaging, and intervention may prevent some of the more critical complications that may ensue from this disease process, including alignment abnormalities, central canal compromise, nerve root impingement, vascular complications, and spinal cord injury. This article reviews the underlying pathophysiologic basis of infection, clinical manifestations, and imaging modalities used to diagnose infections of the spine and spinal cord.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. jlgomd@me.com
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Go
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rothman
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prosper
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Silbergleit
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lerner
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D020807:Central Nervous System Parasitic Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015299:Discitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009181:Mycoses / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology