title: Atypical presentation of spontaneous discitis: case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spontaneous discitis is primarily a pediatric illness. Adult patients usually present at an average age of 69 years with a history of diabetes or with a systemic infection. The lumbar spine is the most frequent site of infection (54%), and the cervical is the least at 10%. The causative organisms are most commonly Staphylococcus aureus and beta-hemolytic streptococcus species. Intravenous antibiotics are the mainstays of treatment, and surgical intervention is usually not required.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single case observation with an unusual presentation from the statistically typical criterion of discitis is described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atypical discitis needs to be considered in the differential diagnoses in the middle-aged and healthy population.
authors.affiliation: Wausau Family Practice Center, Wausau, Wisconsin 54401, USA.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: M Altaf
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Keiserrudin
authors.forename: Paul L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Jensen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015299:Discitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents