Diagnosis and management of infections related to spinal pain interventions.

Abstract

Although relatively rare, infections related to spinal pain interventions pose significant risks with an increase in the frequency of these procedures. This review investigates the incidence, risk factors, and management of infections following spinal pain interventions, such as epidural steroid injections, nucleoplasty, and facet joint injections. Most of the existing literature comprises case reports and retrospective studies with limited prospective research, owing to the nature of these infections. Our analysis revealed that while the overall infection rate is low, potential complications, such as epidural abscesses and spondylodiscitis, can be severe and life-threatening. The risk factors include advanced age, diabetes, immunosuppression, and multiple spinal procedures. Early diagnosis and timely intervention are critical to prevent long-term morbidity. These findings emphasize the importance of developing standardized diagnostic algorithms and treatment guidelines to support clinicians in managing these infections effectively. Future research should focus on large-scale studies to understand the impact of these infections better and refine clinical management strategies.