


Spinal cord abscess Treatment in Vienna General Hospital (AKH)
About the clinic
Treatment for a spinal cord abscess at Vienna General Hospital (AKH Wien) in Vienna, Austria, provides access to a national referral center for complex neurosurgery. The hospital is part of the European University Hospital Alliance and holds ISO 9001 accreditation. Patients benefit from the medical expertise of one of Europe’s largest university hospitals, which features 56 operating theaters and specialized intensive care backup for high-risk spinal infections.
Diagnostics and specialist consultation
Rapid and accurate diagnosis is vital for managing spinal cord infections. The hospital uses an in-house neuroradiology department to evaluate the extent of the abscess and its impact on the spinal cord. Patients undergo a thorough evaluation to determine the most effective surgical or medical approach.
- Neuroradiology imaging. This includes MRI and CT scans specifically focused on spinal cord evaluation.
- Neurosurgery consultation. A specialist review to plan the surgical intervention and post-operative care.
Surgical management of spinal abscess
The primary treatment for a spinal cord abscess at AKH Wien is surgical management within the University Clinic for Neurosurgery. The procedure aims to remove the infection and relieve pressure on the spinal nerves. The hospital operates as a national center for these complex cases, ensuring that patients receive care in a facility equipped for neurological emergencies.
- Surgical drainage and debridement. Surgeons perform this procedure under general anesthesia to clean the infected area.
- Intensive care support. The facility provides large ICU capacity to manage recovery for patients with severe infections.
- Specialized department. Surgery is performed at the Univ. Klinik für Neurochirurgie, which handles complex spinal pathologies.
Expert neurosurgical team
The neurosurgery department and its specialized outpatient clinic are led by Ao.Univ.Prof.Dr.med.univ. Gerhard Bavinzski. Ao.Univ.Prof.Dr.med.univ. Bavinzski serves as the head of the Endovasculäre NC-Ambulanz at AKH Wien. The diagnostic process is supported by experts such as Prof. Gregor Kasprian in the neuroradiology department. This collaborative environment between neurosurgeons and radiologists helps in managing acute spinal conditions effectively.
To learn more about the treatment options for spinal cord abscess at this clinic, you may request a consultation through Bookimed.
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Vienna General Hospital (AKH): more details about the clinic
Vienna General Hospital (Allgemeines Krankenhaus, AKH Wien) is the university hospital of the Medical University of Vienna, located in Vienna, Austria. Founded by Emperor Joseph II in 1784 and rebuilt as a modern medical campus opened in 1994, it is run by the City of Vienna and treats patients of every kind, from routine care to the most complex and rare conditions that other hospitals refer here.
A Medical City
Often described as "a city within a city", the AKH campus houses 29 university clinics, 35 clinical departments and hundreds of specialised outpatient clinics under one roof, along with its own laboratories, pharmacy, shops and restaurants. It has 1,691 beds, including large intensive care and intermediate care units, and 56 operating theatres. Around 1,600 doctors and 2,700 nursing staff work here, treating around 630,000 patients each year. Because the hospital and the Medical University of Vienna share the same campus and staff, patients are treated by doctors who are also researchers and university professors in their field.
Cancer Care
Together with the Medical University of Vienna, the AKH runs the Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Vienna, which brings every cancer specialty together and treats tumours of all types, including rare and advanced cancers. Diagnosis, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapies are coordinated in interdisciplinary tumour boards, and patients can access new treatments through clinical trials that are often not available elsewhere.
Complex Surgery and Transplantation
The AKH is a national referral centre for complex and high-risk surgery across neurosurgery, cardiac and vascular surgery, thoracic surgery, abdominal and cancer surgery, orthopaedics and transplantation. It performs kidney, liver, lung, heart, pancreas and bone-marrow transplants, and its lung transplant programme performs approximately 100 transplants annually.
Research and Innovation
As a university hospital, the AKH combines patient care with medical research and teaching. Many diagnostic and treatment methods used worldwide today were developed here, and its close link to the Medical University of Vienna means patients benefit from the latest scientific advances. A new Center for Translational Medicine on the campus further strengthens the path from laboratory research to patient treatment.
Recognition
The AKH is a member of the European University Hospital Alliance, a network of university hospitals in Europe focused on highly specialised medicine and research. Its guiding words, taken from its foundation in 1784, are "Saluti et solatio aegrorum" — for the healing and comfort of the sick.
International Patients
The hospital treats patients from Austria and abroad, with an information centre to help with enquiries and orientation on the large campus.
Additional services
Patient reviews
View 19 reviewsAnonymous • Consultation with an ophthalmologist Ukraine
I liked the doctor
Anonymous • Neurology Romania
"Short but encouraging and 'productive' I would say
Андрей • Melanoma
The results were very satisfactory
Anonymous • Consultation with a gastroenterologist Austria
Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Wien, Austria
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