Spinal instrumentation•• for pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (PVO)

Abstract

The vascular anatomy is important in understanding the route of the infection either arterial or venous or both. Hematogenous infection is the most common mechanism. Staphylococci are the most common pathogens, tollowed by aerobic gram-negative bacilli, streptococci. Since signs and symptoms are relatively nonspecific the diagnosis is often delayed. The symptoms may be neck or back pain, malaise, stiffness, and sometimes. fever .The most common characteristic laboratory abnormality IS an increased ESR , leukocytosis, elevation of CRP. C.T has been shown to be more sensitive than plain radiography in diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis. MRI when available, has now emerged as the diagnostic 1magmg modality of choice in vertebral osteomyelitis.