Spontaneous emphysematous osteomyelitis of the spine: A case report

Spontaneous emphysematous osteomyelitis of the spine is a very rare but severe condition caused by gas-forming microorganisms. We present the case of a 41-year-old obese male patient presenting at the Emergency Department with diabetic ketoacidosis, fever, and difficulty in walking. computed tomogra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inRadiology case reports Vol. 15; no. 9; pp. 1552 - 1554
Main Authors Di Stasi, Martina, Pontillo, Giuseppe, Bartolini, Antonella, Elefante, Andrea, Muccio, Carmine Franco
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier Inc 01.09.2020
Elsevier
Subjects
Case Report
Computed Tomography
Diabetes Mellitus
Emphysematous Osteomyelitis
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Spine
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
SPP
Spine
Emphysematous Osteomyelitis
Computed Tomography
EO
Diabetes Mellitus
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Summary:Spontaneous emphysematous osteomyelitis of the spine is a very rare but severe condition caused by gas-forming microorganisms. We present the case of a 41-year-old obese male patient presenting at the Emergency Department with diabetic ketoacidosis, fever, and difficulty in walking. computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed bone marrow edema and intraosseous gas collections at the level of the fourth and fifth lumbar metameres, suggesting an osteomyelitis sustained by gas-forming microorganisms, which was then confirmed by the isolation of Klebsiella pneumonia in blood culture. Imaging plays a central role for the diagnosis of emphysematous osteomyelitis: the presence of multiple intraosseous gas collections of variable size, especially in patients with specific risk factors, is highly suggestive of an infection caused by gas-forming pathogens. Being familiar with this peculiar neuroradiological appearance is essential to ensure an early diagnosis and a timely antimicrobial therapy, which can considerably ameliorate the prognosis.
ISSN:1930-0433
1930-0433
DOI:10.1016/j.radcr.2020.05.078