Vertebral osteomyelitis overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
The term osteomyelitis describes any new infection in the bone and bone marrow. Vertebral osteomyelitis is a specific type of this disease; the term describes a rare bone infection concentrated in the spinal region.[1]
Classification
The infection can be classified as acute or chronic depending on the severity of the onset of the case,[2] where acute patients often experience better outcomes than those living with the chronic symptoms that are characteristic of the disease.
Pathophysiology
Vertebral osteomyelitis often attacks two vertebrae and the corresponding intervertebral disk, causing narrowing of the disc space between the vertebrae.[3] A notable aspect of the disease is found in its ability to start anywhere in the body and spread to other regions through the bloodstream. A number of bacterial strains can enter the body in this manner, making the origin of the infection hard to trace; thus, for many patients with the infection, this characteristic can delay an accurate diagnosis and prolong suffering.
References
- ↑ Carek, M.D., Peter (15). "Diagnosis and Management of Osteomyelitis". American Family Physician. 12 (63): 2413–2421. Retrieved March 27, 2012. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (help); Check date values in:|date=, |year= / |date= mismatch(help) - ↑ David Dugdale, III, M.D. (2010). A.D.A.M Medical Encyclopedia: Osteomyelitis. Bethesda, MD: United States National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 12 March 2012. Unknown parameter
|coauthors=ignored (help) - ↑ Wheeless, III, M.D., Clifford (2011). Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics. Duke University: Duke University Medical Center.