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Primary Spinal Infections

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Spine Surgery Basics

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Abstract

Infections of the spine can be rapidly progressive and often cause significant neurologic deficits and even death. Unfortunately, they are also often difficult to diagnose, as they can mimic a number of other conditions. With rising numbers of patients who are immunosuppressed due to HIV, diabetes mellitus, and organ transplantation, these infections are becoming increasingly prevalent. Thus, it is important to know how to efficiently diagnose and initiate treatment for these patients.

This chapter discusses the three main types of primary spinal infections: vertebral osteomyelitis, diskitis, and epidural abscesses. Also, atypical spinal infections are briefly discussed. While spinal infections can occur as a result of invasive procedures, this chapter will not include iatrogenic infections.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA

    David B. Bumpass M.D.

  2. Center for Spinal Tumors, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave., 8233, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA

    Jacob M. Buchowski M.D., MS

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  1. David B. Bumpass M.D.
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  2. Jacob M. Buchowski M.D., MS
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Correspondence to Jacob M. Buchowski M.D., MS .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Colorado, Denver Dept. Orthopaedics, Aurora, Colorado, USA

    Vikas V. Patel

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Neurosciences Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

    Alpesh Patel

  3. Department of Neurosurgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    James S. Harrop

  4. University of Colorado, Denver Dept. Orthopaedics, Aurora, Colorado, USA

    Evalina Burger

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Bumpass, D.B., Buchowski, J.M. (2014). Primary Spinal Infections. In: Patel, V., Patel, A., Harrop, J., Burger, E. (eds) Spine Surgery Basics. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-34126-7_33

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