Effects of intervertebral disc infection on the developing ovine spine.
METHODS
A prospective in vivo animal study.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether infection in the juvenile spine influences spinal development.


BACKGROUND
Discitis is thought to occur in children when blood-borne infection penetrates the highly vascular immature disc. The condition generally resolves without apparent complication, but little is known about the long-term effects on the growing spine.


METHODS
Twenty-nine 6-week-old lambs underwent discography at multiple lumbar levels using radiographic contrast deliberately inoculated with Staphylococcus epidermidis. No antibiotics were given. Plain radiographs were taken at intervals up to 52 weeks after inoculation for morphometric analysis of the vertebral bodies and discs, and the lumbar spines were prepared for histology.


RESULTS
Sixteen of 44 inoculated discs showed radiological evidence of discitis between 2 and 6 weeks after inoculation. Disc height and disc area were significantly reduced from 2 weeks, and did not recover during the study period. Vertebral body dimensions and overall lumbar spine length were not significantly affected.


CONCLUSIONS
Infection of juvenile ovine discs impedes disc development but has no significant effect on vertebral body growth.
Walters
Rebecca M
RM
The Adelaide Centre for Spinal Research, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, Department of Pathology, The University of Adelaide, Australia.
Smith
Samantha H E
SH
Hutchinson
M John
MJ
Dolan
A Mark
AM
Fraser
Robert D
RD
Moore
Robert J
RJ
D000818:Animals; D015299:Discitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012756:Sheep; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000473:pathology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis