Acute low back pain revealed as pyogenic spondylitis: A report of 2 cases

Jun, Joo Hwan; Kim, Hyun Kyu; Chung, Mi Hwa; Choi, Young Ryong; Kim, Soo Hwan

Case Report

Spinal Pain

Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 2010;5(3):187-191.
Published online July 31, 2010.

Acute low back pain revealed as pyogenic spondylitis: A report of 2 cases

Joo Hwan Jun, Hyun Kyu Kim, Mi Hwa Chung, Young Ryong Choi, Soo Hwan Kim

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. anekim@hallym.or.kr

Abstract

Many people suffer from low back pain and that has caused much socioeconomic cost. As a non specific cause of low back pain, an increase in the incidence of pyogenic spondylitis has been noticed. Early radiological diagnosis is of great importance for prompt treatment and prevention of clinically significant consequences which include neurological deficit and secondary spine deformity. We describe two cases of pyogenic spondylitis with epidural abscess. The former case, we could not make an early diagnosis and proper management was delayed. Fortunately, no neurologic deficits were remained. On contrast, the latter was promptly diagnosed as a pyogenic spondylitis and proper treatment was established. Most of all, careful preliminary evaluation, especially laboratory data and analysis of radiologic findings are important prognostic factor in treatment patient for pyogenic spondylitis.

Key Words: Low back pain, Pyogenic spondylitis, Radiologic diagnosis