Chronic Osteomyelitis of the Lumbar Transverse Process.
10.4055/cios.2011.3.3.254
- Author:
Bong Jin LEE
1
;
Seong Tae KIM
;
Min Geun YOON
;
Sung Soo KIM
;
Myung Sang MOON
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopedics, Myongji Hospital, Kwandong University College of Medicine, Jecheon, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Osteomyelitis;
Transverse process;
Lumbar spine
- MeSH:
Chronic Disease;
Humans;
*Lumbar Vertebrae;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Osteomyelitis/*diagnosis/therapy;
Spinal Diseases/*diagnosis/therapy;
Staphylococcal Infections/*diagnosis/therapy;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
- From:Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery
2011;3(3):254-257
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Pyogenic spondylitis involving only the posterior element of a vertebra is rare. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports of osteomyelitis of the transverse process. We report here on a 45-year-old male with a one month history of swelling associated with lower back pain. The magnetic resonance imaging showed a paraspinal soft tissue mass, and computed tomography revealed a fine osteolytic lesion in the right transverse process of the 5th lumbar spine, and this was all consistent with chronic osteomyelitis. A mixed staphylococcal infection was identified. Open drainage, resection of the transverse process and intravenous injection of anti-staphylococcal antibiotics resolved the back pain and reduced the erythrocyte sedimentation rate to normal. Pyogenic osteomyelitis of the transverse process is extremely rare, which can cause a misdiagnosis or a delayed diagnosis. Careful consideration of this disease is needed when evaluating patients who complain of back pain.
