Surgical Complications Flashcards
What is radiculopathy?
The compression of spinal nerve roots.
Treat this via decompression or discectomy.
What is osteomyelitis?
Infection of the bone
Which groups are most likely to suffer from osteomyelitis?
Immunocompromised
Chronic disease patients
The elderly
Young children
What is the most common cause of osteomyelitis?
Staph. aureus
How is osteomyelitis treated?
IV antibiotics
If abscess present, drain this.
Which groups are at particular risk of osteomyelitis of the spine?
Diabetics
IV drug users
Immunocompromised
What is the most common site of spinal osteomyelitis?
Lumbar spine
Pus may extrude, causing a paravertebral abscess.
What organism is most commonly responsible for osteomyelitis in sickle-cell anaemia patients?
Salmonella
Which form of imaging is used in the investigation of osteomyelitis?
MRI scan
