title: Thoracic spondylitis mimicking idiopathic scoliosis: a case report.
abstract: We report the case of a 12-year-old girl with thoracic spondylitis, who initially presented with a painless scoliotic deformity and was therefore misdiagnosed as having idiopathic scoliosis. Six weeks after initiation of brace therapy, increasing back pain necessitated admission. X-Ray, bone scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging then revealed a pathologic process in D8. To rule out a tumorous lesion, open biopsy was performed and led to the diagnosis of acute spondylitis. Treatment with oral antibiotics and bed rest led to a complete resolution of the scoliotic deformity, which clearly demonstrated that it was secondary to spondylitis. After 2 years, the girl is persistently well and free of pain. This unusual presentation of spondylitis delayed correct diagnosis and therefore specific treatment in the case of this 12-year-old girl.
authors.affiliation: Orthopädische Universitätsklinik Homburg Saar, Universität des Saarlandes, 66424 Homburg Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duchow
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Graf
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D001510:Bed Rest; D001706:Biopsy; D001915:Braces; D002648:Child; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012585:Sciatica / Q000209:etiology; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002981:Clindamycin