Discitis following lumbar puncture in non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Discitis in children is a rare disorder of intervertebral disc and vertebral end plate. Infection or trauma, like lumbar puncture, may be the possible causes. Low-back pain and gait disturbance are the main symptoms. The most appropriate diagnostic procedure is MRI. Treatment is mainly empirical. Here a case with non-Hodgkin lymphoma is discussed. Treatment consisted of strict bed rest and antibiotics. Safe and sterile technique is important in patients with invasive procedures like intrathecal chemotherapy. Although discitis is a self-healing condition, it might cause vertebral osteomyelitis. In this regard, physicians should be aware of this probable complication after lumbar puncture and manage it earlier in children with cancer.