VERTEBRAL OSTEOMYELITIS: SEVEN YEARS EXPERIENCE OF 85 CASES

Introduction: Clinical, laboratory and radiological findings in cases of tuberculous vertebral osteomyelitis (TVO), brucella vertebral osteomyelitis (BVO) and pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (PVO) were compared and data with a significant impact on differential diagnosis were evaluated. Materials and methods: A total of 85 patients, 45 TVO, 26 BVO and 14 PVO, treated and followed-up in a university hospital during 7 years were evaluated retrospectively. Results: The most common symptom in all groups was lumbar pain. Statistically significant differences were found between the groups in terms of symptoms of fever and sweating in BVO patients, back pain in TVO patients. Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequent causative microorganism in PVO patients. Lumbar involvement was predominant in all three groups of patients in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Conclusion: Back pain, vertebral tenderness and motor loss in lower extremity, increase in procalcitonin and positive tuberculin skin test should be considered in cases with a diagnosis of TVO. Fever, sweating, consumption of unpasteurized milk and dairy products, residing in rural regions and contact with animals, positive Wright test should be considered in cases with a diagnosis of BVO. History of surgical operation, short duration of admitting symptoms should be considered in cases with a diagnosis of PVO.