Description
A collection of pus and infectious material in the spine. The most common causes are spread of an infection in the blood, spread of infection from an adjacent infection or from an injury causing an inoculation of bacteria into the spine. This disorder can also occur after medical procedures or surgery involving the spine.
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. Imaging studies (such as CT scan or MRI of the spine) are performed to establish the diagnosis. Abscess fluid will be collected and cultured.
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. Imaging studies (such as CT scan or MRI of the spine) are performed to establish the diagnosis. Abscess fluid will be collected and cultured.
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
Treatment includes intravenous antibiotics, and/ surgery to drain the infection.