Spinal Cord Abscess : Tests

A physical exam often shows localized tenderness over the spine. A neurological examination may show signs of spinal cord compression, with involvement of the lower body (paraplegia) or the entire trunk, arms, and legs (quadriplegia. The extent of...

CSF smear is a microscopic examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is a clear fluid that circulates in the space surrounding the spinal cord and brain. CSF protects the brain and spinal cord from injury and carries products of neurosecretions (chemicals released by the neural tissue), nutrients, chemicals in the cells, and chemical changes in the cells.

The Gram stain test is the most extensively performed procedure in diagnostic microbiology. It is used to classify bacteria as either gram-positive or gram-negative based upon their ability to retain the crystal violet stain following decolorization.

A lumbosacral spine CT is a computed topography of the lower spine and surrounding tissues.

Lumbar puncture (LP) is the technique of using a needle to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the spinal canal. CSF is the clear, watery liquid that protects the central nervous system from injury and cushions it from the surrounding bone structure.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is a laboratory test to examine a sample of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This fluid is a clear, watery liquid that protects the central nervous system from injury and cushions it from the surrounding bone structure.

During a physical examination, a health care provider studies a patient's body to determine the presence or absence of physical problems. A typical physical examination includes: Inspection (looking at the body) Palpation (feeling the body with hands) Auscultation (listening to sounds) Percussion (producing sounds)

Magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) of the spine is a noninvasive procedure that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the components that make up the spine -- the vertabrae (spine bones), the spinal cord, and the spaces between the vertebrae through which the nerves travel. Unlike conventional radiography and CT imaging, which uses radiation ( X-rays ) passing through a patient to generate images, MRI is based on the magnetic properties of atoms. MRI scans differentiate between organs, and potentially, provide contrast between benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) tissue. Any of the images collected can be stored in a computer or printed on film. MRI can easily be performed through clothing and bones. Certain types of metal, however, in or around the area under investigation can cause significant errors, called artifacts, in the images.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) is a test that lets your doctor see detailed pictures of the inside of your body. MRI combines the use of strong magnets and radio waves to form an MRI image.Before Your TestMRI uses ...

A neurological examination is an essential component of a comprehensive physical examination . It is a systematic examination that surveys the functioning of nerves delivering sensory information to the brain and caring motor commands (Peripheral nervous system) and impulses back to the brain for processing and coordinating (Central nervous system).