Figure 1.

The appearances of L3/4 spondylodiscitis before and after antimicrobial therapy. Representative T1 fat saturated post-gadolinium sagittal (A,C) and axial (B,D) Magnetic Resonance images. (A,B) At presentation, there is a rim enhancing collection within L3/4 disc space with destruction of the adjacent vertebral body end plates. In addition, there is an associated enhancing epidural phlegmon causing severe cauda equina compression and a homogenous subcutaneous fluid collection. (C,D) Six months later, following antimicrobial therapy, there is significant improvement in the inflammatory appearances at L3/4 disc space and the fluid collections. However, there is a significant loss of disc height at L3/4 leading to moderate-severe canal stenosis.