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Disk Space Infection

  • Chapter
Orthopedic Infection

Part of the book series: Clinical Topics in Infectious Disease ((CLIN.TOP.INFECT))

Abstract

Even now, 56 years after Freedman’s presentation to the Radiological Society of North America (42), the very existence of a primary infection of the intervertebral disk is still debated. Many other aspects regarding the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of this infection also remain controversial. The name is no exception. Disk space infection is not adequate: there are disks at the temporomandibular joint, the sternoclavicular joint, the acromioclavicular joint, the inferior radioulnar joint, and the pubic symphysis. This review only addresses the issue of infection in intervertebral disks. It is argued that the word “inflammation” should be substituted for infection and it is likely that some cases in the literature are of traumatic or other noninfectious origin. However, strong evidence supports the concept that this is usually a disease of infectious etiology, and this is discussed in detail.

The question whether the intervertebral disc can be the primary seat of a disease or whether its involvement is always secondary to an involvement of the bone is also much debated. Eugene Freedman, 1932

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Authors
  1. Jeffrey R. Boscamp
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  2. Neal H. Steigbigel
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19125, USA

    David Schlossberg M.D., F.A.C.P. (Professor of Medicine, Director) (Professor of Medicine, Director)

  2. Department of Medicine, Episcopal Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19125, USA

    David Schlossberg M.D., F.A.C.P. (Professor of Medicine, Director) (Professor of Medicine, Director)

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© 1988 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

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Boscamp, J.R., Steigbigel, N.H. (1988). Disk Space Infection. In: Schlossberg, D. (eds) Orthopedic Infection. Clinical Topics in Infectious Disease. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3870-6_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3870-6_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-8383-6

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