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[The MR tomographic diagnosis of intra- and paraspinal abscesses]
H Lanfermann1, W Heindel, M Gierenz
1Institut und Poliklinik für Radiologische Diagnostik, Universität zu Köln.
Purpose:
Analysis of the MRT signals and their extent from intra- and paraspinal abscesses with reference to predisposing factors, their causes and localisation.
Patients And Methods:
The histories and MRT findings in 34 Patients with intra- and paraspinal abscesses were evaluated retrospectively. Most of the patients (24/34) were older than 50 years. A second peak was below 30 years.
Results:
27/34 patients had some underlying disease which predisposed to infection, e.g., diabetes mellitus. The most common causal organisms were Staph. aureus (53%) and streptococci (15%). In 23/34 cases (68%), the abscesses were in the thoraco-lumbar or lumbar region, while only 6/34 occurred in the upper two-thirds of the thoracic spine and only 5/34 in the cervical region. In only 8/34 was the abscess confined to two vertebral lengths; in the remaining patients it was much more extensive. Intraspinal abscesses were about twice as large as the vertebral components and 1.5 times greater than paravertebral abscesses. The age of the abscesses could be estimated approximately from the signals.
Conclusions:
Contrast enhanced MRT permits detailed analysis of the compartments and exact estimation of the extent of the lesions and permits accurate monitoring of treatment.
Insights
Magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) effectively analyzes spinal abscesses, detailing their extent and aiding treatment monitoring. Predisposing factors like diabetes and organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus are common.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Spinal Surgery
Context:
- Spinal abscesses present diagnostic challenges.
- Magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) is crucial for evaluating spinal infections.
- Understanding predisposing factors and causative organisms is key to management.
Purpose:
- To analyze magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) signals and extent of intra- and paraspinal abscesses.
- To correlate findings with predisposing factors, causes, and localization.
- To evaluate the utility of contrast-enhanced MRT in assessing spinal abscesses.
Summary:
- Retrospective analysis of 34 patients with intra- and paraspinal abscesses using MRT.
- Predisposing factors (e.g., diabetes) were identified in 27/34 patients; Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism.
- Abscesses were predominantly in the thoraco-lumbar/lumbar regions and often extensive, with intraspinal abscesses being larger than vertebral or paravertebral components.
Impact:
- Contrast-enhanced MRT enables detailed compartment analysis and precise estimation of lesion extent.
- MRT findings aid in accurate monitoring of treatment for spinal abscesses.
- This study highlights the importance of MRT in diagnosing and managing spinal infections.