Discitis

Discitis
MR image demonstrates lumbar spinal discitis/osteomyelitis (Image courtesy of RadsWiki)

WikiDoc Resources for Discitis
Articles
Most recent articles on Discitis Most cited articles on Discitis Review articles on Discitis Articles on Discitis in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Discitis Images of Discitis Photos of Discitis Podcasts & MP3s on Discitis Videos on Discitis
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Discitis Bandolier on Discitis TRIP on Discitis
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Discitis at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Discitis Clinical Trials on Discitis at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Discitis NICE Guidance on Discitis NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Discitis CDC on Discitis
Books
Books on Discitis
News
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Commentary
Blogs on Discitis
Definitions
Definitions of Discitis
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Discitis Discussion groups on Discitis Patient Handouts on Discitis Directions to Hospitals Treating Discitis Risk calculators and risk factors for Discitis
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Discitis Causes & Risk Factors for Discitis Diagnostic studies for Discitis Treatment of Discitis
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Discitis
International
Discitis en Espanol Discitis en Francais
Business
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Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Discitis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Discitis is an infection in the intervertebral disc space that affects different age groups. There is debate as to the cause, although hematogenous seeding of the offending organism is favored as well as direct spread, e.g. following instrumentation. Symptoms include severe back pain, leading to lack of mobility. Some very young children may refuse to move. Diagnosis is usually apparent on MRI although plain X-rays and CT examinations can be suggestive. Treatment usually includes antibiotics, and reducing the mobility of the affected region, either with a back brace or a plaster cast. Without treatment, the patient may form an abscess which may need to be surgically corrected.

Diagnostic Findings

Images shown below are courtesy of RadsWiki

• 
  MR image demonstrates lumbar spinal discitis/osteomyelitis
• 
  MR image demonstrates lumbar spinal discitis/osteomyelitis

• 
  MR image demonstrates lumbar spinal discitis/osteomyelitis
• 
  MR image demonstrates lumbar spinal discitis/osteomyelitis
• 
  MR image demonstrates lumbar spinal discitis/osteomyelitis

External links

Learning Radiology: Damage appears on an X-ray image
Discitis in young children: From The Hospital for Children, London, England