Presentation
Right lumbar region pain for 2 weeks.
Patient Data
Inflammatory changes of the right L3/4 facet joint are noted showing intra-articular mild effusion, articular surface erosive changes, and bone marrow edema. There is intra-spinal canal extension of the inflammatory process with small abscess formation and surrounding dural enhancement.
Disc dehydration, annular tear and diffuse disc bulge at L4/5 level with facet arthropathy and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy causing spinal canal stenosis and impression on lateral recesses.
Disc dehydration, diffuse disc bulge, facet arthropathy, and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy at L5/S1 level causing spinal canal stenosis.
Case Discussion
Facet joint infectious arthritis may show paraspinal or epidural extension. In this case, there is epidural extension of the infectious process.