title: Infections of the spine and spinal cord.
abstract: Predisposing factors for developing spinal infections include: immunodeficiency; drug abuse; the widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive drugs; diabetes mellitus; and spinal surgery. Infections can be bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or viral in origin. This chapter reviews current knowledge in clinical and imaging findings in the most common spinal infections divided according to the compartment primarily involved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: majda.thurnher@meduniwien.ac.at.
authors.forename: Majda M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Thurnher
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Richard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Olatunji
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D009187:Myelitis / Q000150:complications*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology*; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications*
keywords: abscess; infection; myelitis; spinal cord; spine; spondylodiscitis