Fig. 1

42-year-old-diabetic-male patient presented with low back pain for 2 weeks. MR imaging showed L2–3 vertebral endplate marrow edema (red circle in a, b and c) and increased fluid signal in the L2–3 intervertebral disc on STIR sequence (blue arrow in image b). Post contrast images (c & d) show enhancing soft tissue in the epidural space (yellow arrows), consistent with phlegmon, which is a very early complication. Post contrast imaging can help in differentiating between phlegmon, which does not contain non-enhancing or liquefied components, from an abscess which does have those components. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the causative organism