Description
A collection of infectious material adjacent to the spine. The most common causes are a complication of surgery, spread from an infection in the blood, infection spread from a nearby infection, or from an injury that penetrates the back allowing bacteria to enter. This is a rare disorder but is more common in intravenous drug users and patients with a weakened immune system.
Symptoms
Back or neck pain, weakness, numbness, fever, skin redness.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Other tests will be done to establish the diagnosis. A MRI is the most useful test to identify this disorder.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Other Specific Tests: Blood culture, culture of abscess fluid
Specialists:
Neurosurgery, Pediatric Neurosurgery
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Other tests will be done to establish the diagnosis. A MRI is the most useful test to identify this disorder.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Other Specific Tests: Blood culture, culture of abscess fluid
Specialists:
Neurosurgery, Pediatric Neurosurgery
Treatment
Intravenous antibiotics, Surgery to drain the infection may be necessary.