This case brings typical features of discitis osteomyelitis with associated epidural phlegmon. It is important to distinguish the two main patterns of extension of the inflammatory/infective process into the epidural space:

• phlegmonous stage of infection results in homogeneous enhancement of the abnormal area which correlate to granulomatous-thickened tissue with embedded micro-abscess without a significant pus collection
• liquid abscess surrounded by inflammatory tissue which shows varying degree of peripheral enhancement with gadolinium