Should antibiotics be held prior to image-guided biopsy/aspiration for a suspected spine infection?

Author: Taolin Fang

RECOMMENDATION: We recommend that prior to image-guided biopsy/aspiration for a suspected spine infection, all antibiotics should be withheld until after appropriate culture samples are obtained. Antibiotic administration, without aspiration/biopsy may be justifi ed in patients who are critically ill and cannot withstand intervention or in patients with deteriorating neurological conditions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Consensus

DELEGATE VOTE: Agree: 93%, Disagree: 0%, Abstain: 7% (Super Majority, Strong Consensus)

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