[Vertebral osteomyelitis: to suspect ahead any inflammatory spinal pain]

Vertebral osteomyelitis: to suspect ahead any inflammatory spinal pain. Infectious vertebral osteomyelitis is a rare and severe condition with potential septic, neurologic or mechanical complications and a lethality of about 10%. Clinical diagnosis is difficult and delay in management is frequent. Diagnosis confirmation relies on MRI and microbiological documentation by blood cultures and/or image-guided percutaneous vertebral biopsy. Adapted antibiotic therapy during 6 weeks is the mainstay of treatment, with fast oral relay. Associated treatments include a short rest, initial immobilization, analgesia and sometimes surgery. Outcome is usually favorable. Adverse evolution is mainly associated with age and comorbidities, and to a less extent to presence of neurological impairment, Staphylococcus aureus and diagnosis delay.