Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Multilevel Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Degenerative Lumbar Disc Disease with Instability
11:30

Multilevel Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Degenerative Lumbar Disc Disease with Instability

Published on: July 25, 2025

Multilevel diskitis and vertebral osteomyelitis after diskography

Mark M Mikhael1, Harold G Bach, Paul M Huddleston

  • 1Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.

Orthopedics
|February 20, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Diskitis, a serious complication of diskography, can lead to vertebral osteomyelitis. Early MRI diagnosis and prompt antibiotic treatment are crucial for managing this rare but severe spinal infection.

Area of Science:

  • Spine surgery
  • Infectious diseases
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Diskography is an invasive diagnostic procedure.
  • Diskitis and vertebral osteomyelitis are rare but serious complications following diskography.
  • Symptoms can mimic chronic degenerative spinal conditions, delaying diagnosis.

Observation:

  • A 38-year-old man developed severe symptoms after multilevel lumbar diskography.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed diskitis and vertebral osteomyelitis at four levels.
  • Elevated inflammatory biomarkers were noted, and Staphylococcus saccharolyticus was identified.

Findings:

  • The patient had 4-level destructive vertebral osteomyelitis post-diskography despite prophylactic measures.
  • Early MRI findings are critical for diagnosing diskitis and vertebral osteomyelitis.
  • Treatment involved targeted parenteral antibiotics for at least 6 weeks.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the risk of severe spinal infection after diskography.
  • Prompt recognition and management of diskitis are essential to prevent progression.
  • MRI is the preferred imaging modality for early detection of post-diskography diskitis.

Related Concept Videos

Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction01:27

Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction

Degenerative disc disease is a chronic condition in which intervertebral discs gradually lose structure and function. It is not infectious or autoimmune; rather, it results from age-related biochemical and mechanical changes, influenced by genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors.Structure and Function of DiscsThe spine contains 23 intervertebral discs that absorb load, distribute forces, maintain spacing, and allow flexibility. Each disc consists of a nucleus pulposus, a gel-like core...
Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology

The symptoms of degenerative disc disease arise from a combination of mechanical compression, vascular compromise, and biochemical inflammation, which together disrupt nerve function and produce pain.Mechanical CompressionDisc degeneration reduces height and elasticity, predisposing to herniation of the nucleus pulposus, a major cause of radicular pain. Herniations may be protrusion (bulging with intact annulus), extrusion (nucleus extends beyond disc but remains connected), or sequestration...
Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction01:29

Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction

Intervertebral disc herniation refers to the displacement of the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like inner core of the disc) through a tear or weakened area in the annulus fibrosus (the outer fibrous ring). The displaced disc material extends beyond the normal boundaries of the disc space and may compress or irritate nearby spinal nerve roots or, less commonly, the spinal cord.Etiology and Risk FactorsHerniation commonly results from degeneration, in which aging reduces disc hydration and...