Spinal Cord Infections Workup

  • Author: Andrew K Chang, MD; Chief Editor: Rick Kulkarni, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 14, 2011
 

Laboratory Studies

A CBC count demonstrates leukocytosis only in the acute presentation (with or without neutrophilia).

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis demonstrates the following:

  • Marked pleomorphic leukocytosis, increased protein level, and decreased glucose and chloride level may be noted in the rare patients in whom the abscess has ruptured into the subarachnoid space.
  • Often, mild leukocytosis (mostly polymorphonucleocytes) and protein level increase are observed.

Results from blood cultures occasionally are positive, showing the bacteriology of the underlying disease (eg, bacterial endocarditis, urosepsis).

CSF cultures usually are sterile.

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Imaging Studies

Cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine radiographs

Plain films are not helpful in diagnosing spinal cord abscesses and usually are normal.

If plain films show diskitis, osteomyelitis, or paraspinal infection, then one should suspect spread of contiguous infection into the spinal cord.

However, in patients in whom the abscess is associated with dysraphism, spina bifida can be demonstrated.

Myelography with contrast

A positive myelogram reveals an expanded spinal cord or a complete block.

Until recently, myelography was the most reliable diagnostic tool; MRI largely has replaced it.

MRI

To date, in the cases reported using MRI, the T1-weighted images exhibit decreased signal intensity. Peripheral enhancement, similar to that observed with abscesses of the brain, has been found with gadolinium.

MRI has become the preferred imaging technique, yielding not only the diagnosis but also the extent of the process.

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Procedures

Lumbar puncture

Do not attempt lumbar puncture if a dermal sinus is found in the lumbar area. Delay the procedure until a tethered cord syndrome has been excluded using computed tomography of the lumbar spinal canal.

Abdominal and jugular compression maneuvers with proper manometry may be indicated to establish the presence of a block to CSF flow. CSF manometer has been supplanted by neuroimaging, particularly MRI.

Jugular compression for manometric testing never should be performed if an intracranial mass is present.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Andrew K Chang, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center

Andrew K Chang, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American Academy of Neurology, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Daniel J Dire, MD  FACEP, FAAP, FAAEM, Clinical Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Medical School at Houston; Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center San Antonio

Daniel J Dire, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Association of Military Surgeons of the US

Disclosure: Talecris Biotherapeutics Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

J Stephen Huff, MD  Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Neurology, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine

J Stephen Huff, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American Academy of Neurology, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John D Halamka, MD, MS  Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Rick Kulkarni, MD  Attending Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Rick Kulkarni, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: WebMD Salary Employment

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Graph showing age distribution of 91 patients with intramedullary spinal cord abscess. The age or gender of 14 patients is unknown.
 
 
 
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