Latent Multiple Noncontiguous Pyogenic Spondylitis: a case report.
- Author:
Kee Yong HA
;
Wee DENNIS
;
Seong Jin PARK
;
Gun YEON
;
Seok Koo HAN
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Pyogenic spondylitis;
Multiple;
Noncontiguous
- MeSH:
Biopsy;
Diagnosis;
Osteomyelitis;
Spine;
Spondylitis*;
Tuberculosis
- From:The Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
1997;32(3):517-522
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Spinal disc surgery has been the most common cause of iatrogenic disc infection, resulting in pyogenic spondylitis. The diagnosis is usually difficult because of the infrequency of occurrence of pyogenic spondylitis. If three or more vertebrae are involved, the diagnosis of osteomyelitis is unlikely to be correct. Especially involvement of multiple non-contiguous vertebrae indicates metastatic tumor. Therefore, we report a rare case of latent multiple non-contiguous pyogenic spondylitis following spinal surgery. The actual cause of infection in this case is unknown. CT guide biopsy may be needed to rule-out tuberculosis spondylitis and metastatic tumor in such case of multiple spinal involvement. In conclusion, the possibility of latent spinal infection must be considered even though surgery had been done several years ago.
