Epidural abscess other imaging findings

X ray is likely not helpful in the diagnosis of epidural abscess. Myelography may be helpful in the diagnosis of epidural abscess, however it is now considered obsolete.

X ray is likely not helpful in the diagnosis of epidural abscess. Findings on x ray suggestive of spinal epidural abscess include narrowing of the disk and bone lysis to indicate the presence of discitis and osteomyelitis.^[1][2] X ray is useful in evaluating possible skull fractures, osteomyelitis lesions, discitis, or foreign bodies lodged in the skull or spine, which may be the source of the infection.^[3] In 30% of patients with epidural abscess, radiography demonstrated some abnormality, often presenting degenerative changes, vertebral end-plate destruction, or narrowing of the intervertebral disc space.^[4]

Myelography may be helpful in the diagnosis of epidural abscess. However, the invasiveness of this technique and possible complications give more relevance to the MRI.^[6]