INFECTIONS OF THE LUMBAR SPINE-TREATMENT OPTIONS

With advances in antimicrobial therapy, diagnostic techniques, and operative intervention, the overall morbidity and mortality associated with spine infections has been greatly reduced. These infections can be devastating, as the population most at risk are the elderly and/or immunocompromised. Given the poor prognosis without appropriate therapy and the relative rarity of these disorders, a high index of suspicion is paramount to facilitate early diagnosis and expeditious treatment. Current concepts in the management of both pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis and spinal epidural abscess are reviewed in this article with a special emphasis on the lumbar spine