Spinal Infection
A spinal infection is a rare, but often serious, form of disease that occurs when fungi, bacteria or viruses invade the spinal tissue. These foreign agents can attack any part of the spine including the vertebrae, spinal disks, meninges, spinal canal and even the spinal cord.
When these pathogens infect our intervertebral discs, doctors refer to this condition as Discitis, or disc inflammation. When these bugs attack the bones of our spine, we refer to the disease as Osteomyelitis. When a spinal infection occurs, the bone can begin to deteriorate and collapse upon itself.
Symptoms
- Pain that is worse with movement and doesn’t respond well to medication and rest
- Neck stiffness
- Low back pain
- Fever
- Chills
- Night sweats
- Bowel and bladder incontinence
- Swelling or redness at the infection site
- Unexplained weight loss
- Weakness, tingling or numbness in the arms and legs
Causes
- Post-surgical infections
- Poor nutrition
- Obesity
- Steroid use
- Diabetes
- HIV
- Cancer
- History of organ transplant
If a spinal infection is suspected, imaging scans such as x-rays, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are typically ordered, often utilizing contract dye to highlight the areas of damage. If a deep infection is suspected, your interventional neurologist may use image guidance and a catheter to obtain a biopsy. Lab work to diagnose a spinal infection may include examining white blood cell count or markers for inflammation.
Treatment
- Intravenous Antibiotic Medications. To kill the infection, antibiotics may be prescribed for anywhere from 7 to 10 days, to 6 to 12 weeks. A central line may need to be placed in order to assist in the administration of longer-term medications.
- Bracing and Rest. These treatments help to improve stability while the spine heals.
- Laminectomy. This is performed by removing a portion of your vertebra (or lamina) to increase space and relieve pressure.
- Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF). Your doctor removes the source of infection and then performs a spinal infusion by inserting a bone graft that will permanently fuse the two vertebras together for support.
Since vertebral discs do not have a good blood supply, antibiotics will not always kill the infection. In these cases, or when nerve compression has occurred, surgical options may be necessary to treat the infection and repair the damage to the spine (or prevent further damage)