Chapter 15 - Infections of the Spine

Question 1

Vertebral diskitis starts where?

Answer 1

In the hypervascular vertebral endplates then spread to the avascular disc spaces

Question 2

What does a vacuum disc represent?

Answer 2

Disc degeneration, NOT Infection

Question 3

Nidus of inflammation on MRI in infection vs tumor

Answer 3

In infection - nidus is in the DISC, in tumor, the nidus if in the VERTEBRA

Question 4

Where do atypical infections most commonly originate?

Answer 4

The peridiskal metaphysis of a vertebral body, then propagate under the anterior longitudinal ligament to include adjacent levels

Nidus in atypical infections is the VERTEBRAL BODY, discs are relatively spared

Question 5

Treatment for tuberculosis of the spine

Answer 5

6 months (if active infection) of RIPE - rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol (or streptomycin)