title: Pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis of the posterior elements.
abstract: Three cases of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis involving only the posterior elements are presented. This unusual location creates difficulty in distinguishing vertebral osteomyelitis from neoplasms and arthridites. All three patients had involvement of the articular facet, a helpful indication against neoplasms. However, vertebral osteomyelitis should be differentiated from erosive arthridites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ehara
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Khurana
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Kattapuram
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*