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Non-tuberculous Infections of the Spine
Book chapter

Non-tuberculous Infections of the Spine

Kelly Gillock, Archana Malik and Martin J. Herman
Pediatric Musculoskeletal Infections, pp 675-690
29 Jun 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95794-0_33

Abstract

Abscess Children Discitis Infection Pediatric Spine Vertebra
Pediatric spinal infections occur uncommonly and can be a result of many causes including bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses occurring in various locations of the spinal tract such as the spinal cord, meninges, nerve roots, intervertebral discs, vertebra, and epidural space. Unfortunately, diagnosis can be challenging due to presentation with non-specific symptoms and some pediatric patients’ inability to verbalize symptoms. Subsequently, misdiagnosis, treatment delays, and further infection progression are common. Moreover, the infrequency of pediatric spinal infection occurrences poses additional problems in the treatment of more common disorders such as spondylodiscitis and spinal abscesses as treatment guidelines have not yet been standardized, specifically in pediatric populations. Proper identification of present clinical symptoms, utilization of diagnostic tests, and visualization of radiography will be essential in treating children with spinal infections in addition to recommended treatment guidelines. This chapter will provide you with the necessary tools to recognize and treat pediatric spinal infections of various etiologies, focusing on the most common infections: spondylodiscitis and spinal abscesses.

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