Diffuse spinal infiltration can be attributed to a variety of etiologies, including:
Inflammatory conditions
- Ankylosing spondylitis: This condition is characterized by inflammation and can lead to focal fat infiltration at vertebral corners, which may evolve into new bone formation
- Human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)-associated myelopathy: This condition can cause widespread active inflammatory lesions in the spinal cord
Infectious diseases
- Spinal infections: These can cause diffuse infiltration of the spine. The incidence of spinal infection in New Zealand in 2009 was 9.8 per 100,000 person-years
Neoplastic conditions
- Leptomeningeal metastases: This condition involves neoplastic infiltration of the meninges, which can affect any part of the neural axis, including the spinal cord
Other conditions
- Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis: This condition can cause diffuse spinal infiltration. The incidence of this condition in Spain in 2019 was 7 per 100,000 person-years
In conclusion, diffuse spinal infiltration can be caused by a variety of conditions, including inflammatory diseases, infections, neoplastic conditions, and other disorders. The specific cause can be determined through a comprehensive clinical evaluation and appropriate diagnostic investigations.