title: Pyogenic spinal infections.
abstract: Spinal infections are a spectrum of disease comprising spondylitis, diskitis, spondylodiskitis, pyogenic facet arthropathy, epidural infections, meningitis, polyradiculopathy, and myelitis. Inflammation can be caused by pyogenic, granulomatous, autoimmune, idiopathic, and iatrogenic conditions. In an era of immune suppression, tuberculosis, and HIV epidemic, together with worldwide socioeconomic fluctuations, spinal infections are increasing. Despite advanced diagnostic technology, diagnosis of this entity and differentiation from degenerative disease, noninfective inflammatory lesions, and spinal neoplasms are difficult. Radiological evaluations play an important role, with contrast-enhanced MR imaging the modality of choice in diagnosis, evaluation, treatment planning, interventional treatment, and treatment monitoring of spinal infections.
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Division, Department of Radiology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Besevler, Cankaya 06560, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: turgut.tali@gmail.com.
authors.forename: E Turgut
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Tali
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Division, Department of Radiology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Besevler, Cankaya 06560, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: A Yusuf
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Oner
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Division, Department of Radiology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Besevler, Cankaya 06560, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: A Murat
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Koc
mesh_terms: D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013131:Spine / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Imaging; Pyogenic; Spinal Infection