Pyogenic lumbar facet joint arthritis with intradural extension: a case report

There have been 40 previously reported cases of lumbar facet joint pyogenic infection. These have been well characterized earlier. Intradural pyogenic extension has never been reported from a facet joint origin. This case demonstrates an elderly diabetic man with acute onset of nontraumatic back pai...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of spinal disorders & techniques Vol. 15; no. 6; p. 526
Main Authors Coscia, Michael F, Trammell, Terry R
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.12.2002
Subjects
Aged
Arthritis, Infectious - complications
Arthritis, Infectious - diagnosis
Dura Mater - pathology
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Spinal Diseases - complications
Spinal Diseases - diagnosis
Suppuration - etiology
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Summary:There have been 40 previously reported cases of lumbar facet joint pyogenic infection. These have been well characterized earlier. Intradural pyogenic extension has never been reported from a facet joint origin. This case demonstrates an elderly diabetic man with acute onset of nontraumatic back pain with no other source of infectious pathology. Surgical exploration identified a purulent left L4-L5 facet joint with epidural and intradural extension. Minimal spinal fluid leak was present. Wound cultures were positive for Group B beta Full resolution occurred with appropriate intravenous vancomycin antibiotic therapy.
ISSN:1536-0652
DOI:10.1097/00024720-200212000-00017