Author/Editor     Travnik, Ludvik; Košak, Robert; Gorenšek, Miro; Vengust, Rok
Title     Vnetja hrbtenice
Translated title     Inflammation of the spine
Type     članek
Source     In: Komadina R, Stahovnik A, editors. 5. Celjski dnevi. Zbornik izbranih predavanj simpozija o poškodbah in okvarah hrbtenice; 2005 apr 8-9; Celje. Celje: Splošna bolnišnica Celje,
Publication year     2005
Volume     str. 172-8
Language     slo
Abstract     Spinal infections are relatively rare, accounting for only 2% to 4% of all osteomyelitis infections, and mortality is estimated to be 1% to 20%, depending on the patient group and the infecting agent. Paralysis is reported to occur in up to 50% of patients with spinal infections, depending on the patient population and the spinal segment involved. The primary problems today are the delay in diagnosis (estimated to average 3 months), the long recovery period (averaging 12 months or more), and the great cost of treatment. The vertebral end plate is the most commonly reported focus of vertebral infection, followed by inoculation of the disc space itself, epidural abscess formation, and paraspinal abscess formation. The thoracic and lumbar spinal vertebrae are the most common areas of pyogenic infection; the thoracolumbar junction is the most common area of tuberculous infection. S. aureus was the most common organism in pyogenic infection (the incidence of isolation varies from 40% to 90%). Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the most common nonpyogenic infecting agent. Spinal surgery is the most common cause of iatrogenic disc infection, whereas genitourinary infection is the most common predisposing factor for blood-borne infection. Respiratory and dermal infections are less frequently implicated in blood-borne infection. Patients with chronic diseases that decrease the natural immune response, such as diabetes, alcoholism, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic renal disease, are more likely to develop a spinal infection and its complications. The most common presenting symptom of spinal infection is pain. Constitutional symptoms include anorexia, malaise, night sweats, intermittent fever, and weight loss. Localised tenderness over the involved area is the most common physical sign. Spinal deformity may be a late presentation of the disease. Paralysis is a serious complication but rarely is the presenting complaint. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters).
Descriptors     SPONDYLITIS
DISCITIS