title: CT in pyogenic osteomyelitis of the spine.
abstract: Six patients with bacteriologically proven pyogenic osteomyelitis of the spine were followed serially with computed tomography (CT). Initial evaluation of the involved vertebral bodies and adjacent soft tissues showed a drop in CT numbers when compared to normal cancellous bone and soft tissues. A soft-tissue mass was seen in all cases. After appropriate antibiotic therapy, all six patients showed an increase in bone density and a diminution of the soft-tissue mass (p less than 0.05). Five of the six patients showed a further decrease in soft-tissue CT numbers.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D013492:Suppuration / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed