Neck and Spinal Cord infections

Spine Infections

Microbial diseases of the spine are called spine infections. The cause may be one of various bacteria or fungi. Spinal infections may occur after spinal surgery or may develop spontaneously in patients with certain risk factors.

How do spinal infections develop?

Infection begins when microbes that come to the spine by blood or direct contamination first create an irritation (inflammation).

Later, the developing infection begins to spread to the disc and bone and destroy these areas.

Then, the infection may spread to the entire bone and disc, puncture the posterior wall, progress into the spinal canal and press on the spinal cord and nerves.

At this stage, the involved spine may collapse and fracture may occur.

What are the signs of spinal infections?

Signs of infection may appear as fever, weakness, headache, neck stiffness, swelling at the operation wound site, tenderness, redness, discharge, and pain. In some cases, the patient may feel numbness in his arms and legs, loss of sensation, and weakness in muscle strength. While these findings settle insidiously in some patients, they appear with a severe clinical picture from the very beginning in some patients.

How are spinal infections diagnosed?

Your doctor will first ask you questions to diagnose a spinal infection. A detailed examination is then carried out.

Imaging and blood tests are then requested. These tests may include various imaging modalities (direct X-rays, CT, MRI, and scintigraphy). Whole blood tests, biochemistry, CRP, sedimentation rate will be the beginning of the blood tests that may be requested.

What is the non-surgical treatment of spinal infection?

Non-surgical treatment includes the use of antibiotics, anti-tuberculosis therapy, and anti-fungal treatments for fungal infection.

What are the surgical treatment options for spinal infections?

Surgical options may vary depending on the type and location of the infection, the size of the abscess, the damage to the tissues, and the patient’s immune system. While the simplest is evacuation of the abscess and cleaning (debridement) of infected tissues, sometimes it may be necessary to use cages and instrumentation to replace the destroyed vertebrae.

After the procedure, sometimes the wound is closed and a drain is placed, sometimes the wound is left open and washed periodically, or a method such as providing continuous drainage by applying negative pressure with pressurized tissue covers (woundvac).