What are the causes of spinal cord abscess?

Multiple reasons: There are multiple causes of spinal cord abscess. The risk factors for spinal infection include: 1. Infection in another location that spreads to the spine (for example - a bladder or kidney infection that then spreads to the spine via the veins) 2. Recent spinal surgery 3. Patient with a compromised immune system (diabetics, smokers, patients with cancer, hiv/aids, patients needing dialysis).

It is the result of : An infection that is usually bacterial but may also be fungal or mycobacteria like TB seen sometimes after surgery or trauma but more often with patients with risk factors like diabetes, smokers, very old or very young, immunosupressed, on certain medications like steroids or just debilitated individuals specially with an infection elsewhere in their bodies.