Antibiotic Treatment of Vertebral Osteomyelitis, Discitis and Epidural Abscess of the Spine

This spine surgery lecture covers the antibiotic treatment of Vertebral Osteomyelitis, Discitis and Epidural Abscess of the Spine.

Antibiotic Treatment of Vertebral Osteomyelitis, Discitis and Epidural Abscess of the Spine Lecture Thumbnail

Lecturer: Vivienne Weston, MBBS, MSc, FRCP

Includes:

  • Online Lecture Presentation
  • Pre- and Post- Learning Assessments
  • Additional Learning Materials (Standard Package only)

DOI: 10.28962/01.3.155

Ref.ID: 8_7_weston

What you will cover in this lecture

Vertebral OM, discitis, and epidural abscess often occur as a result of haematogenous seeding. S. aureus is the most common cause of vertebral OM, discitis and epidural abscess but there are multiple other causative organisms which need to be considered. Empirical approaches are becoming less effective due to increasing resistance. Except in septic patients or patients with neurological compromise, empirical therapy should be withheld when possible until a microbiological diagnosis has been confirmed and targeted therapy initiated. An image-guided or intra-operative aspiration or biopsy of disc space or vertebral endplate sample submitted for microbiological and histological examination often establishes the microbiological or pathological diagnosis.

Learning Objectives

  1. Remember other diseases/microbiology results
  2. Send blood for culture
  3. May need to do more than one biopsy to establish the diagnosis if blood cultures are negative
  4. Consider early surgical intervention
  5. Discuss with microbiologist/infectious disease specialist

Target Groups

Lecture Presentation

Antibiotic Treatment of Vertebral Osteomyelitis, Discitis and Epidural Abscess of the Spine

Includes:

  • Online Lecture Presentation
  • Pre- and Post- Learning Assessments
  • Additional Learning Materials (Standard Package only)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is an eccElearning Lecture like?

A: Each Lecture includes the Lecture Presentation, Additional Learning Resources, Pre-Learning Quiz and Lecture Assessment.

Each Spine Surgery Lecture is viewed online in video format and lasts from 20-45 minutes. The Lectures contain relevant additional learning resources (book chapters, research papers, surgical videos, master lecture videos, case reports, review articles, etc.), which are presented in context and viewable immediately for your convenience.

Q: How much time will a Lecture take?

A: Lecture presentations typically take 20-45 minutes to run. However, candidates are required to review the compulsory and recommended additional learning resources contained within the Lecture. The time taken to view the Lecture and review the additional resources is in the range 3-4 hours per Lecture.

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A: All major credit and debit cards.

Q: What do I do if I fail a Lecture Assessment?

A: You are permitted to retake a Lecture Assessment up to two times. The Lecture Assessment will be made available to you again 14 days after a failed attempt. If you’ve failed the Lecture Assessment three times, please get in contact with us to discuss your options.

Q: What courses does eccElearning provide?

A: We have the Diploma in Spine Surgery with Modules individually purchasable, lecture bundles, an Endoscopic Spine Surgery Programme, a Residents' Spine Programme, and Spine Surgery Specialist Certificates in Radiology and Physiotherapy.