Imaging of Spinal Infection

Book excerpt: This book examines all aspects of the imaging of spinal infection. The diagnosis of spinal infection has been a challenge for many years. In addition to clinical and laboratory findings and histopathological examination, imaging has a major role in aiding and expediting the correct diagnosis. This book comprehensively addresses how imaging can help in localizing the site and specifying the extent of a variety of spinal infections. After introductory chapters on the epidemiology and pathophysiology of spinal infection, the different imaging techniques are discussed in detail. The bulk of the book addresses different specific spinal infections caused by various pathogens. These comprise chapters on hematogeneous pyogenic spondylodiscitis, iatrogenic spinal infection, pyogenic epidural abscess, spinal brucellosis, salmonella spondylodiscitis, spinal tuberculosis, spinal hydatidosis, and fungal spondylodiscitis. The last chapter describes diagnostic algorithm of spinal infection. The book is written by Tunisian, Asian and European experts and will be a valuable resource for all medical practitioners who deal with spinal infection, including radiologists, rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons.