HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Tay, B. K-B Articles by Hu, S. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Tay, B. K-B Articles by Hu, S. S.

Spinal Infections

Dr. Tay is Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA. Dr. Deckey is Attending Surgeon, Southern California Complex Spine and Scoliosis Center, Whittier, CA. Dr. Hu is Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California at San Francisco.

Reprint requests: Dr. Tay, 3A36, 1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110.

Spinal infections can occur in a variety of clinical situations. Their presentation ranges from the infant with diskitis who is unwilling to crawl or walk to the adult who develops an infection after a spinal procedure. The most common types of spinal infections are hematogenous bacterial or fungal infections, pediatric diskitis, epidural abscess, and postoperative infections. Prompt and accurate diagnosis of spinal infections, the cornerstone of treatment, requires a high index of suspicion in at-risk patients and the appropriate evaluation to identify the organism and determine the extent of infection. Neurologic function and spinal stability also should be carefully evaluated. The goals of therapy should include eradicating the infection, relieving pain, preserving or restoring neurologic function, improving nutrition, and maintaining spinal stability.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P J C Davis and H J Williams The investigation and management of back pain in children Arch. Dis. Child. Ed. Pract., June 1, 2008; 93(3): 73 - 83. [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. C. A. Michel, C. W. A. Pfirrmann, N. Boos, and J. Hodler CT-Guided Core Biopsy of Subchondral Bone and Intervertebral Space in Suspected Spondylodiskitis. Am. J. Roentgenol., April 1, 2006; 186(4): 977 - 980. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Govender Spinal infections J Bone Joint Surg Br, November 1, 2005; 87-B(11): 1454 - 1458. [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. J. Olson, J. B. Parker, and C. S. Carlson Bacterial Diskospondylitis Associated with Posterior Paresis/Paralysis in North American Farmed Mink (Mustela vison) Veterinary Pathology, March 1, 2005; 42(2): 125 - 131. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]