Spinal Cord AbscessSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Spinal Cord Abscess
Spinal cord abscess is the swelling and irritation (inflammation) and the collection of infected material (pus) and germs in or around the spinal cord.
Abscess - spinal cord
A spinal cord abscess is caused by an infection inside the spine. An abscess of the spinal cord itself is very rare. A spinal abscess usually occurs as a complication of an epidural abscess.
Pus forms as a collection of:
- White blood cells
- Fluid
- Live and dead bacteria or other microorganisms
- Destroyed tissue cells
The pus is commonly covered by a lining or membrane that forms around the edges. The pus collection causes pressure on the spinal cord.
The infection is usually due to bacteria. Often it is caused by a staphylococcus infection that spreads through the spine. It may be caused by tuberculosis in some areas of the world, but this is not as common today as it was in the past. In rare cases, the infection may be due to a fungus.
The following increase your risk for a spinal cord abscess:
- Back injuries or trauma, including minor ones
- Boils on the skin, especially on the back or scalp (rare)
- Complication of lumbar puncture or back surgery
- Spread of any infection through the bloodstream from another part of the body (bacteremia)
- Injecting illicit drugs
The infection often begins in the bone (osteomyelitis). The bone infection may cause an epidural abscess to form. This abscess gets larger and presses on the spinal cord. The infection can spread to the spinal cord itself.
A spinal cord abscess is rare. When it does occur, it can be life threatening.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Fever and chills.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control.
- Loss of movement of an area of the body below the abscess.
- Loss of sensation of an area of the body below the abscess.
- Low backache, often mild, but slowly gets worse, with pain moving to the hip, leg, or foot. Or, pain may spread to the shoulder, arm, or hand.
The goals of treatment are to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and cure the infection.
Surgery may be done right away to relieve the pressure. It involves removing part of the spine bone and draining the abscess. Sometimes it is not possible to drain the abscess completely.
Antibiotics are used to treat the infection. They are usually given through a vein (IV).
Advocate Medical Group Neurosurgery
Ryan Trombly is a Neurosurgery provider in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Dr. Trombly is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Spinal Cord Abscess. His top areas of expertise are Cervical Myelopathy, Cerebellum Agenesis Hydrocephaly, Spinal Cord Abscess, Microdiscectomy, and Cervical Disc Surgery.
Texas Health Neurosurgery And Spine Specialists
Dr. Moneeb Ehtesham is a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon with specialized expertise in cerebrovascular/endovascular neurosurgery and complex spinal surgery. He has served in teaching and senior academic research and leadership capacities for over two decades. Dr. Ehtesham currently serves as an Associate Professor at the TCU Burnett School of Medicine. His areas of special focus include open and endovascular surgery for aneurysms and other cerebrovascular conditions as well as spinal surgery. Additionally, he has been recognized for his research in the areas of stem cell therapies and brain tumors. He was a recipient of the Young Investigator Award from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons.Dr. Ehtesham completed his neurological surgery residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, where he served as chief resident in his final year. He also completed his neurointerventional/ endovascular neurosurgery fellowship at Vanderbilt. Dr. Ehtesham is a Diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery and a Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Ehtesham is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Spinal Cord Abscess. His top areas of expertise are Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Stroke, Subdural Hematoma, Laminectomy, and Transmyocardial Revascularization.
Texas Health Neurosurgery And Spine Specialists
"Dr. Olaide Ajayi is board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons and is a Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. He is the Medical Director of Spine Surgery at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth.Dr. Ajayi completed his Neurosurgery Residency as well as a Complex and Minimally Invasive Spine Fellowship at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Southern California. He also received his Medical Doctorate from the same institution. He has authored and contributed to many peer review publications on various neurosurgical and spine related topics.His areas of special focus include the surgical management of degenerative scoliosis, spine tumors, spine trauma, complex and minimally invasive spine surgery, and degenerative spine disease. Dr. Ajayi takes a comprehensive approach in the management of spinal disease, utilizing conservative treatment options when feasible, as well as minimally invasive and complex reconstructive approaches when necessary.Dr. Ajayi is a member of the North American Spine Society (NASS), American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) and AANS/CNS Joint Spine Section.WATCH NOW:</h5>Patient Testimonial: North Texas Neurosurgical & Spine Center (Dr. Ajayi)</a>". Dr. Ajayi is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Spinal Cord Abscess. His top areas of expertise are Subdural Hematoma, Chronic Subdural Hematoma, Delirium, Microdiscectomy, and Cervical Disc Surgery.
How well a person does after treatment varies. Some people recover completely.
An untreated spinal cord abscess can lead to spinal cord compression. It can cause permanent, severe paralysis and nerve loss. It may be life threatening.
If the abscess is not drained completely, it may return or cause scarring in the spinal cord.
The abscess can injure the spinal cord from direct pressure. Or, it can cut off the blood supply to the spinal cord.
Complications may include:
- Long-term (chronic) back pain
- Loss of bladder/bowel control
- Loss of sensation
- Male impotence
- Return of infection
- Weakness, paralysis
Go to the emergency room or call 911 or the local emergency number, if you have symptoms of spinal cord abscess.
Thorough treatment of boils, tuberculosis, and other infections decreases the risk. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent complications.
Summary: This is a prospective study involving all patients treated at the University of Kentucky for spinal epidural abscess over a 2-year period. Based on ongoing referrals of patients with SEA, we expect that 200 patients will be enrolled during this time window. We propose to study all available clinical, pathological, radiological, and socioeconomic data of patients diagnosed with a spinal infection w...
Published Date: November 10, 2024
Published By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Rajasekaran S, Viswanathan VK, Shetty AP. Primary infections of the spine. In: Steinmetz MP, Berven SH, Benzel EC, eds. Benzel's Spine Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 44.
Tunkel AR. Subdural empyema, epidural abscess, and suppurative intracranial thrombophlebitis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 91.
Williams KD. Infections and tumors of the spine. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 42.