investigations
Last reviewed 01/2018
The following investigations are indicated if a spinal abscess is suspected:
- plain X-ray films:
- acutely, may be normal, show soft tissue swelling or vertebral collapse
- chronically, may show destruction of the intervertebral disc space and the vertebrae
- myelography: shows a complete or partial block to CSF passage
- MRI - the definitive investigation for abscess localisation