title: Pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis complicating abdominal penetrating injury: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis is a rare condition usually associated with endocarditis or spinal surgery. However, it may also occur following abdominal penetrating trauma with associated gastrointestinal perforation. Diagnosis might be challenging and appropriate treatment is essential to ensure a positive outcome. In trans-abdominal trauma, 48 hours of broad-spectrum antibiotics is generally recommended for prophylaxis of secondary infections. A case report of vertebral osteomyelitis complicating trans-colonic injury to the retroperitoneum is presented and clinical management is discussed in the light of literature review.
authors.affiliation: General and Emergency Surgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, via F, Sforza 35-20100, Milano, Italy. arianna.zefelippo@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zefelippo
authors.forename: Paola M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Bertazzoni
authors.forename: Aldo M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Marini
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Rai
authors.forename: Ettore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Contessini-Avesani