Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2021 Feb 1;27(1):93-120.
doi: 10.1212/CON.0000000000000930.

Infectious Myelopathies

Michel Toledano
Review

Infectious Myelopathies

Michel Toledano. Continuum (Minneap Minn). .

Abstract

Purpose of review: This article reviews infectious etiologies of spinal cord dysfunction, emphasizing the importance of recognizing common clinicoradiographic syndromes and interpreting them in the context of exposure risk and individual host susceptibilities.

Recent findings: This article discusses the shifting spectrum of neurologic infectious diseases, the growing population of patients who are immunocompromised, and the emergence of effective antiretroviral therapies. In addition, it discusses new molecular and serologic tests that have the potential to enhance our ability to rapidly and accurately diagnose infectious diseases of the spine.

Summary: When evaluating patients with suspected infectious myelopathies, it is imperative to narrow the range of pathogens under consideration. The geography, seasonality, and clinicoradiographic presentation and immunocompetence status of the patient define the range of potential pathogens and should guide testing and initial management.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Yost MD, Toledano M. Severe infections of the central nervous system. In: Rabinstein AA, ed. Neurological emergencies: a practical approach. Springer; 2020:121–149.
    1. Gilden D, Nagel MA, Cohrs RJ. Varicella-zoster. Handb Clin Neurol 2014;123:265–283. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-53488-0.00012-2 - DOI
    1. Nagel MA, Cohrs RJ, Mahalingam R, et al. The varicella zoster virus vasculopathies: clinical, CSF, imaging, and virologic features. Neurology 2008;70(11):853–860. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000304747.38502.e8 - DOI
    1. Haanpää M, Dastidar P, Weinberg A, et al. CSF and MRI findings in patients with acute herpes zoster. Neurology 1998;51(5):1405–1411. doi:10.1212/wnl.51.5.1405 - DOI
    1. Ahmed SV, Hamada H, Jayawarna C, Chandra S. Shingles with secondary asymptomatic CNS involvement! BMJ Case Rep 2012;2012:bcr0320126041. doi:10.1136/bcr.03.2012.6041 - DOI

LinkOut - more resources