title: Intervertebral discitis in children: a review of 12 cases.
abstract: Twelve children with lumbar discitis were reviewed. The average age at diagnosis was 2.5 years. Seven were girls, and the follow-up varied between 2 and 10 years (average 5 years). The clinical signs were general irritability, abdominal or hip pain and refusal to walk or to sit. The erythrosedimentation rate was elevated in all but two. Radiographic narrowing of the disc space was seen in seven patients. Needle disc aspiration was done in five cases with two being positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Blood culture was positive in one case. Magnetic resonance imaging helped to diagnose the condition in three. Treatment consisted of bed rest and immobilisation of the spine; intravenous antibiotics were given to nine children. The natural course of the disease was benign in all our twelve cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics, University of Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ventura
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Terricabras
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salvador
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cabrera
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015299:Discitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D007223:Infant; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents