How can postoperative infections be distinguished from normal postoperative changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)?

Author: Susana Núñez-Pereira

RECOMMENDATION: The presence of an abscess in the back muscles or posterior site, confirmed by gadolinium enhancement, is the most frequently-reported change on MRI of patients with surgical site infection (SSI). The presence of a collection of fluid outside the head of the pedicle screws is another sign of SSI.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Limited

DELEGATE VOTE: Agree: 71%, Disagree: 8%, Abstain: 21% (Super Majority, Strong Consensus)

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