Imagerie du rachis infectieux

Abstract

Musculoskeletal infection is a severe infection, especially when it involves the spine. It is multifaceted: spondylodiscitis, spondylitis, arthritis, and epidural abscesses. It always necessitates fast diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. It affects elderly subjects. A poor clinical status, a poor clinical tolerance, the presence of neurological signs, and location of the disease at the cervical spine, are factors of severity. Imaging aims at making a positive diagnosis of infection, at depicting extension of the disease, and help to isolate the pathogen. The most common pathogens remain Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococci, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.