Thoracic Osteomyelitis, Discitis And/or Epidural Abscess

Your Path

  • Thoracic osteomyelitis, discitis and/or epidural abscess

Etiology

  • Staph
  • Gnr
  • Strep
  • MTB→ endemic areas and/or compromised
  • Cocci or other fungal→ endemic areas and/or compromised

Risk Factors

  • Trauma to area
  • Spinal surgery
  • Hardware
  • Bacteremia
  • Ivdu
  • Dm
  • Esrd
  • Other
  • Compromised host

Symptoms

  • Fever
  • Typically acute or subacute
  • Progressive pain in thoracic spine area
  • Spread can lead to epidural abscess
  • Weakness, neuropathic pain, numbness, gait problems, paralysis, incontinence, w/cord or root involvement

Physical Exam Findings

  • May have pain over thoracic vertebrae to palpation/percussion
  • Neuro deficits (e.g. weakness, numbness, neuropathic pain, gait problems, paralysis, incontinence, etc.) if involves cord or roots (at and below level of involvement)