Vertebral osteomyelitis: a case report of a patient presenting with acute low back pain.
OBJECTIVE
To report and discuss a case of vertebral osteomyelitis presenting to a chiropractic clinic.


METHODS
A 65-year-old man presented to a chiropractic clinic with acute low back pain. A lumbar spine magnetic resonance image was obtained with and without contrast in both the sagittal and axial planes. The diagnostic impression was osteomyelitis and discitis across the L2-3 disk space with epidural abscess posterior to L3 and a paravertebral abscess. The patient was referred for medical management. A computed tomography-guided fine needle aspiration was performed and confirmed a Staphylococcus aureus infection. The L2-3 level was surgically debrided and fused after a regimen of antibiotic therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
This case report presents a typical clinical presentation of vertebral osteomyelitis and reviews the diagnostic imaging, pathophysiology of spontaneous vertebral osteomyelitis, and treatment options in the management of this condition.
Ursprung
William M
WM
Department of Radiology, Logan College of Chiropractic, Chesterfield, MO 63006-1065, USA. william.ursprung@logan.edu
Kettner
Norman W
NW
Boesch
Ron
R
D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents