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Acute Pediatric Spinal Infections

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Book cover The Growing Spine

Abstract

Acute pyogenic infections of the spine in pediatric age group are reviewed in this chapter. Spinal infections are uncommon in childhood; therefore, the clinical workup should begin with a high level of suspicion. Discitis and vertebral osteomyelitis have distinct epidemiologic, clinical, and radiographic features; however, they are considered to be different manifestations of the same pathological process. Child’s inability to communicate or localize symptoms and nonspecific laboratory findings generally cause a delay in the diagnosis that can be avoided with the early use of spinal imaging. Treatment should include intravenous antibiotics followed by oral intake, and rest and/or immobilization to improve comfort especially in the initial stages. Surgical interventions can occasionally be necessary especially in the setting of neurologic findings. The efficacy and duration of treatment can be followed via the levels of ESR and CRP. Functional deficits generally do not occur regardless of the radiological changes.

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Abbreviations

CRP:

C-reactive protein

ESR:

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

PPD:

Purified protein derivative

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics and Travmatology, Acibadem University School of Medicine, Acibadem Comprehensive Spine Center, Büyukdere Cad 40 Maslak, İstanbul, 34457, Turkey

    Ahmet Alanay MD, PhD

  2. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Kiziltepe State Hospital, Mardin, Turkey

    Caglar Yilgor MD

Authors
  1. Ahmet Alanay MD, PhD
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  2. Caglar Yilgor MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ahmet Alanay MD, PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. San Diego Center for Spinal Disorders Medical Group, Inc., La Jolla, California, USA

    Behrooz A. Akbarnia

  2. Hacettepe University Dept. Orthopedics & Traumatology, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey

    Muharrem Yazici

  3. Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

    George H. Thompson

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Alanay, A., Yilgor, C. (2016). Acute Pediatric Spinal Infections. In: Akbarnia, B., Yazici, M., Thompson, G. (eds) The Growing Spine. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-48284-1_26

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-48284-1_26

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