Discitis
Rather like Infective endocarditis, a potential source of recurrent/nonresolving infection
| Sneaky rascal. Rare but insidious and subtle infection. | |
|---|---|
| Etiology | Most commonly Staph aureus. Infection of intervertebral disc space. |
| Epidemiology | |
| Clinical presentation | |
| Pathogenesis | |
| Diagnostic investigations | MRI ... |
| Management | Extended IV abx - 6-8 weeks 15% cases - neuro deficit |
radiographic findings
- Narrowing and destruction of an intervertebral disk (This is the earliest plain film sign)
- Indistinctness of adjacent endplates with destruction
- Often associated with bony sclerosis of the two contiguous vertebral bodies
- Paravertebral soft tissue mass
- Endplate sclerosis (during healing phase beginning anywhere from 8 weeks to 8 months after onset)
- Bone fusion after 6 months to 2 years