INFECTIONS OF THE SPINE

Abstract

Knowledge of structures and compositions of spinal elements is essential to understand the spinal infection. The intervertebral discs have been identified to be the most commonly infected element (Perronne et al., 1994). But more recent evidence now points to the metaphyses and cartilaginous end plates as the starting areas for blood borne infections (Wood, 1998).

Vertebral osteomylitis represents 0.15% to 3.9% of all osteomylitis. It is more common in adult males especially over 60 years old (Graziano and Sidhu, 1993).

Numerous organisms have been reported to infect the spine. Staph. Aures is the most common organism in pyogenic infection. This accounts for 40% to90% of the infections (Smith and Blaster, 1991). Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the common non-pyogenic infecting agent (Wood, 2003).

The vertebral end plate is the most common reported focus of vertebral infection followed by inoculation of the disc itself, epidural abscess, the Para spinal abscess, other elements including articular process, facet joints and even odontoid also have been reported as the primary site of infections (Graziano and Sidhu, 1993).