title: Septic discitis resulting from Escherichia coli urosepsis.
abstract: Septic discitis refers to a primary suppurative process involving the intervertebral disc space and occurs as a result of hematogenous invasion or contamination by pyogenic organisms. A case of septic discitis is described in a 77-year-old woman following an episode of Escherichia coli urosepsis. Despite bed rest, an orthosis, and appropriate antibiotics, the patient ultimately had to undergo surgical disc removal. The diagnosis of septic discitis is often made in the context of other diseases that share common clinical and laboratory findings. Magnetic resonance imaging appears well suited for diagnostic confirmation of septic discitis. Needle biopsy and aspiration results should be used to determine the appropriate choice of antibiotic for this disease process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Family Medicine, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown 26506.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Ponte
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McDonald
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015299:Discitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000150:complications*