[Spinous process osteomyelitis of the thoracic vertebrae 10 and 11 in a newborn infant]

A case of a newborn with osteomyelitis of the spinous processes 10 and 11 is presented. The first clinical sign was a dorsothoracal abscess. Radiologically a destruction of the 10th, later also the 11th spinous process could be demonstrated. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated. The clinical course was mild. The pathogenesis of the disease is discussed. Such a case of newborn osteomyelitis has apparently not been described in the literature.