|
A 44 year-old man underwent elective disk surgery at the L2-L3 level. Three days later, he developed low back pain associated with fever. The next day, he developed numbness and weakness of both legs. |
| Diskitis and Vertebral Osteomyelitis: Axial MRIs of the Lumbar Spine
at the L2-3 level; (Left) T1-weighted
image; (Right) T1-weighted with gadolinium image. Note the
destructive process at the disk/vertebral body that enhances with
gadolinium. Also note that the thecal sac is compressed and enhances with
gadolinium. This is a case of diskitis and adjacent osteomyelitis
with subsequent inflammation and compression of the cauda equina. Infection of the disk and surrounding tissues most often occurs from spread through the blood system to the vertebral body, directly to the epidural space, or both. However, it can also occur as an operative complication. Patients most often present subacutely over days with fever and spine pain, often followed by radicular symptoms and then frank spinal cord or cauda equina compromise. |
Revised
11/25/06
Copyrighted 2006. David C Preston