MORPHOLOGICAL ASPECT OF PYOGENIC SPINAL EPIDURAL ABSCESSES. PART I

ABSTRACT Background: Pyogenic Spinal Epidural Abscess (PSEA) is difficult to diagnose and can have devastating consequences. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has high sensitivity specificity, which are further increased with the use of contrast. There several classifications vertebral infectious processes, emphasis on spondylodiscitis. Objective: To analyze morphological parameters their reproducibility; different resonance imaging sequences. Methods: Using an image database, a classification PSEA was planned, five parameters: Region (R), indicating upper lower limits abscess; Location (U), whether abscess anterior or posterior within canal; Compromise (C), meningeal content structures; Association (A), discitis, osteomyelitis both; Perivertebral (P), anterior, lateral extravertebral abscess. The first three give idea volume PSEA, while last two related foci. Thirty-five cases were analyzed using Kappa’s coefficient. Results: global intra- interobserver reproducibility Kappa 0.81. results for each parameter as follows: R=0.95, U=0.92, C=0.66, A=0.70 P=0.80. notion relate presence foci outside canal. T2 weighted MRI contrast found be most effective sequence. Conclusion: simple use, excellent reproducibility. highest region location, values >0.92. addition gadolinium diagnosis; sagittal axial images in T2-MRI sensitive Evidence Level III; Original.