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Spinal Cord Abscess
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
A spinal cord abscess is a walled off area of infection within the spinal cord.
What is going on in the body?
A spinal cord abscess occurs within the cord itself when infection spreads from the bloodstream. Most infections that cause spinal cord abscesses spread through the bloodstream from other parts of the body, including the heart and lungs.
What are the causes and risks of the infection?
Most spinal cord abscesses are caused by bacteria that travel from infections in other parts of the body, especially:
A person is at higher risk for spinal cord abscess if he or she has:
If untreated, spinal cord abscesses may result in permanent paralysis of the legs, the trunk of the body, or possibly both the arms and the legs.