Abstract

CALDEVILLA-BERNARDO, David et al. Osteomyelitis secondary to cervical spondylodiscitis. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2015, vol.8, n.2, pp.154-157. ISSN 2386-8201.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1699-695X2015000200011.

Spondylodiscitis is an infectious inflammatory process of the intervertebral disc that may occasionally spread to the adjacent vertebral bodies, producing osteomyelitis. This situation is potentially serious, but rare. Clinical and radiological findings are often nonspecific and latent, at least initially. After two weeks certain radiological findings that help diagnosis may be encountered, such as destruction of the articular surfaces of vertebral bodies, with erosions and irregularities, and pinching or loss of disc space. Sometimes it is possible to identify a prevertebral soft tissue mass in an x-ray. Computed tomography may help the diagnosis. The "gold standard" for radiological assessment shall be established by MRI, which evaluates the findings in earlier stages, detecting edema on discs and endplates, and the involvement of adjacent soft tissues.

Keywords : Discitis; Osteomyelitis; Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

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