title: Diagnosis and management of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis in adults.
abstract: Management of vertebral osteomyelitis remains controversial regarding optimum duration of antibiotic therapy and the role of surgery. Forty adults with vertebral osteomyelitis were reviewed. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen isolated. Disk space narrowing with end-plate erosion was the earliest finding, followed by progressive vertebral body destruction. Magnetic resonance imaging proved extremely valuable in detecting spinal cord compression in patients with neurologic deficit. Treatment should include at least 8 weeks of intravenous antibiotics combined with immobilization for pain reduction. Surgical intervention is indicated for all patients with neurologic deficit. Serial erythrocyte sedimentation rates are valuable for following response to therapy. The value of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis is emphasized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City 52242.
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Osenbach
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Hitchon
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Menezes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents