paraspinal and psoas muscle abscesses), and even epidural abscesses may be evident. Additionally, surrounding soft tissue swelling, intervertebral disc enhancement with contrast, collections (e.g. CTĬT findings are similar to plain film but are more sensitive to earlier changes. In untreated cases, bony sclerosis may begin to appear in 10-12 weeks. Thereafter disc space narrowing and irregularity or ill definition of the vertebral endplates can be seen. Plain radiography is insensitive to the early changes of spondylodiscitis, with normal appearances being maintained for up to 2-4 weeks. In patients with sickle cell disease consider Salmonella spp.Ĭan occur anywhere in the vertebral column but more commonly involves lumbar spine melioidosis): diabetic patients from northern Australia and parts of Southeast Asia Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( Pott disease)īurkholderia pseudomallei (i.e. Streptococcus viridans (IVDU, immunocompromised) In the pediatric age group infection often starts in the intervertebral disc itself (direct blood supply still present) whereas in adults, infection is thought to begin at the vertebral body endplate, extending into the intervertebral disc space and then into the adjacent vertebral body endplate. Biochemical markersĮlevated serum c -reactive protein and/or e rythrocyte sedimentation rate. Patients are often bacteremic from sources such as endocarditis and intravenous drug use ( IVDU). The typical presentation is back pain (over 90% of patients) and less common fever (under 20% of patients). Long-term systemic administration of steroids

Spondylodiscitis has a bimodal age distribution, which many authors consider essentially as separate entities:Īscending infection, e.g. In general, the vertebral endplate is infected first with secondary involvement of the disc. For this reason terms such as spondylodiscitis or vertebral osteomyelitis are preferred due to their greater accuracy 18. In clinics and hospitals, X-ray pictures can be shown right away on a computer screen.In adults, the use of the term discitis is generally discouraged as isolated infection of the spinal disc is a rare phenomenon. How long the test takesĪ spinal X-ray usually takes about 15 minutes. You need to lie very still to avoid blurring the pictures. If you have a neck brace (cervical collar) in place, X-ray pictures may be taken and a physical examination done to see whether the brace can be taken off without hurting the spine. This is done to prevent causing more injury. If the X-ray is being taken because of a possibly serious injury to your neck or back, a radiologist will look at the first X-ray pictures before taking others. You may be allowed to keep on your underwear if it does not get in the way of the test.ĭuring the X-ray test, you will lie on an X-ray table. You will be given a cloth or paper gown to use during the test. You may need to take off some of your clothes, depending on which area is examined. You will need to remove any jewellery that may be in the way of the X-ray picture. The most common spinal X-rays are of the cervical vertebrae (C-spine films) and lumbosacral vertebrae (LS-spine films). It takes a detailed view of the 5 fused bones at the bottom of the spine (sacrum) and the 4 small bones of the tailbone (coccyx).

It takes pictures of the 5 bones of the lower back (lumbar vertebrae) and a view of the 5 fused bones at the bottom of the spine (sacrum). It takes pictures of the 12 chest (thoracic) bones. It takes pictures of the 7 neck (cervical) bones. So there are four common types of spinal X-rays: Cervical spine X-ray. Spinal X-rays are also done to check the curve of your spine ( scoliosis) or for spinal defects. These problems may include spinal fractures, infections, dislocations, tumours, bone spurs, or disc disease. They may be taken to find injuries or diseases that affect the discs or joints in your spine.

Infection of the cervical spine x ray