Infection/Inflammation of Spine and Nerve Roots

The spinal cord is covered by protective outer connective tissue layers called the pia-arachnoid or leptomeninges.  Inflammatory or infectious processes that involve the leptomeninges, called leptomeningitis, can also involve the adjacent spinal nerve roots, which similarly have an outer covering of connective tissue that is continuous with the leptomeninges.  The image depicts a spinal cord with acute inflammation involving the leptomeninges and contiguous nerve roots, which may lead to peripheral symptoms due to radiculitis and/or neuritis.