Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Pyogenic spondylitis.

J Leitao1, S Govender, A H Parbhoo

  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Natal, Durban.

South African Journal of Surgery. Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Chirurgie
|December 14, 1999
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The mysterious joint: Septic arthritis and acute osteomyelitis due to Fusarium species in a child with type II Chiari malformation.

South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde·2026
Same author

Prehospital emergency response and management of pregnancy-associated haemorrhage in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

African journal of emergency medicine : Revue africaine de la medecine d'urgence·2026
Same author

An open letter: In solidarity with all children suffering in wars; to all who hold or share a concern for the wellbeing of children.

South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde·2025
Same author

Response: Why solidarity with all children suffering in wars is not antisemitic.

South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde·2025
Same author

Knowledge, attitude and practice of emergency care providers on obstetric haemorrhage in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A cross-sectional study.

African journal of emergency medicine : Revue africaine de la medecine d'urgence·2025
Same author

The academic progress of female general surgery and orthopaedic surgery trainees in South Africa.

South African journal of surgery. Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir chirurgie·2024
Same journal

New hope for scar revision with a modified skin culture technique: a case report.

South African journal of surgery. Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir chirurgie·2026
Same journal

Median arcuate ligament syndrome without weight loss: a challenging diagnosis.

South African journal of surgery. Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir chirurgie·2026
Same journal

Complicated Amyand's hernia.

South African journal of surgery. Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir chirurgie·2026
Same journal

Management and outcomes of penetrating duodenal injuries: a retrospective cohort study from a level I trauma centre.

South African journal of surgery. Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir chirurgie·2026
Same journal

A 12-year review of equestrian related injuries at a major trauma centre in South Africa.

South African journal of surgery. Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir chirurgie·2026
Same journal

Cumulative incidence and management of enterocutaneous fistulas owing to laparotomy for penetrating abdominal trauma: a single centre experience.

South African journal of surgery. Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir chirurgie·2026
See all related articles

Pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis often lacks fever and commonly affects the lumbar spine. Staphylococcus aureus is a frequent cause, highlighting the need for tissue diagnosis to differentiate from tuberculosis.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Neurosurgery
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (PVO) is a serious spinal infection.
  • Predisposing factors include diabetes, urinary tract infections, and HIV.
  • Clinical presentation can be atypical, often without fever.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review clinical characteristics, predisposing factors, and outcomes of PVO.
  • To emphasize the importance of microbiological diagnosis in PVO management.
  • To differentiate PVO from other spinal infections like tuberculosis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 29 patients with PVO.
  • Analysis of patient demographics, clinical presentation, and predisposing factors.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Evaluation of diagnostic methods (needle biopsy vs. open decompression) and microbiological results.

    • Main Results:

    • Average follow-up was 3.7 years.
    • 17 patients had predisposing factors; lumbar spine involvement was common (15 patients).
    • Neurological impairment was present in 18 patients; Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen (14 patients).

    Conclusions:

    • PVO diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion, especially with atypical presentations.
    • Tissue diagnosis is crucial for accurate identification of the causative pathogen.
    • Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential to prevent neurological complications.