title: Infections of the Spine.
abstract: Pyogenic infections of the bony spinal column and the intervertebral discs are on a steady rise in an aging western population. Despite advanced medical imaging, this clinical entity of devastating consequences if missed, still presents a diagnostic conundrum and is plagued by an unacceptably long diagnostic delay. The aim of this article is to raise awareness of the heterogeneity of spinal infections paralleling the complex structure of the spinal column and neighboring soft tissues. Emphasis is placed on the clinical presentation and management of septic facet joints and psoas muscle abscesses associated with lumbar spondylodiscitis.
authors.affiliation: Section of Bone and Joint Infections, Department of Infectious Disease, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. Electronic address: babicm@ccf.org.
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Babic
authors.affiliation: Section of Musculoskeletal Radiology, Imaging Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Claus S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Simpfendorfer
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D015299:Discitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016659:Psoas Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D013131:Spine / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
keywords: Discitis; Iliacus muscle abscess; Psoas muscle abscess; Septic facet joint; Spondylodiscitis