Iatrogenic (para-) spinal abscesses and meningitis following injection therapy for low back pain

摘要: Low back pain is often treated with paraspinal injections of analgesics and steroids. Infectious complications these techniques are rare but they can potentially hold high risks for the patients. History clinical data all patients admitted to a neurological unit suffering from community acquired purulent meningitis were prospectively analyzed during an 8 year interval (1992 2000) special regard previous medical history. One hundred twenty eight included in study. Eight out 128 (6.25%) had history single or repeated paravertebral (4/8), facet-joint (2/8), peridural (1/8) spinal 2-21 days before admission hospital. In six either Staphylococcus aureus (4/8) coagulase-negative staphylococci (2/8) found cerebro fluid (CSF), two no causative organism was detected. patient died, three survived sequel. Repeated paraspinal, analgesic drugs combination corticosteroids risk parameningeal inoculation bacteria resulting spinal, epidural abscesses meningitis. The absolute frequency may be responsible considerable proportion CNS infections.