title: Surgical management of an unusual osteomyelitis involving posterior elements in lumbar spine. A case report.
abstract: Improper and invasive management of low back pain may lead to an unexpected tragedy, vertebral osteomyelitis. A 30-year-old female patient suffering from low back pain after a lumbar strain called on a herbal therapist and was given a herb massage with some unknown medication. Unfortunately, a persistent painful ulcer with discharge developed over her back. She was referred to our clinic shortly after where x-ray showed bony destruction over the spinous process, facet, and lamina of L4. Fistulectomy, debridement and spinal fusion were performed. A satisfactory outcome was finally achieved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hsin Chu 813 Hospital, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Pan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008405:Massage / Q000009:adverse effects; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal