Diagnosis and treatment of pyogenic spinal osteomyelitis
- VernacularTitle:脊柱化脓性骨髓炎的诊断及治疗
- Author:
Guanjun TU
;
Mingxi JIN
;
Yue ZHU
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Spine;
Osteomyelitis;
Blood sedimentation;
Leukocyte count
- From:
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics
2001;0(06):-
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To explore the characteristics of diagnosis and treatment for the pyogenic spinal osteomyelitis. Methods From July 1999 to August 2003, 12 patients with pyogenic spinal osteomyelitis were involved, 7 males and 5 females, aging from 13 to 61 years, with an average of 36.6 years. The pain in the thoracolumbar area was early in the beginning, the temperature was above 39 ℃, and there was no redness and swelling, but the pain on deep pressure and percussion. The spinal movement was limited, but without any symptoms from compression of the spinal cord or cauda equina, and the sphincter function remained normal. The white cell count, ESR, X-ray and MR imaging were analyzed. Among 12 patients, the ESR above 60 mm/1 h in 10,28 mm/1 h and 50 mm/1 h in each 1 respectively. The white cell count of 2 patients increased (1.0?109/L). Transpedicular core biopsy was taken in 4 cases with doubtful diagnosis,the positive rates were 75%. The antibiotics was administrated intravenously for at least 6 weeks in hospital, then succeeded orally for about another 6 weeks. The ESR of 11 of patients decreased more than 50% after 1 month treatment. The conservative treatment was effective in 91.7% cases. Results 9 of 12 patients were available at final follow-up, the mean duration was 2 years and 2 months (ranged from 6 months to 4 years). Among these 9 patients, 7 patients were free of symptoms, 1 patient had slight back pain, 1 patient had chronic severe back pain who was operated because of the relapse after the conservative treatment. Among 7 patients who underwent MR imaging,2 still had destruction in their vertebra and disc. The extent of T1-weighted low signal decreased, while T2-weighted high signal was obvious, but they had no back pain. Conclusion ESR is a more sensitive index than the white cell count for the diagnosis of pyogenic spinal osteomyelitis. MR and pathologic examination are of important significance for the diagnosis of the disease. After the sequential intravenous and oral antibiotic treatment for 1 month, the decrease of ESR is hallmark of the success of conservative treatment, while the failed cases should be treated with surgery.
