TY - JOUR
T1 - An unusual appearance of discitis due to gas-forming escherichia coli with associated pneumocephalus
AU - Lasboo, Anahita Aghaei
AU - Walker, Matthew T.
AU - Hijaz, Tarek A.
PY - 2010/4/1
Y1 - 2010/4/1
N2 - STUDY DESIGN.: Case report. OBJECTIVE.: To report on an unusual case of isolated septic discitis, meningitis, pneumocephalus, and solid organ abscesses associated with urosepsis from gas-producing Escherichia coli. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: Isolated septic discitis, or disc infection without involvement of adjacent vertebrae, following E. coli urosepsis is an unusual finding in the adult population and to our knowledge has not been reported previously. METHODS.: The clinical manifestations and imaging findings of a patient with a history of back pain are described. The significance of the reported case is discussed. RESULTS.: Laboratory finding and imaging studies revealed a Gram-negative sepsis associated with meningitis, discitis, pneumocephalus, and solid organ abscesses. Due to widespread involvement of multiple organs, the infection remained refractory to treatment, and the patient died. CONCLUSION.: Our report adds to the literature by describing an unusual appearance of spine infection in an adult. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of a systematic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of low back pain.
AB - STUDY DESIGN.: Case report. OBJECTIVE.: To report on an unusual case of isolated septic discitis, meningitis, pneumocephalus, and solid organ abscesses associated with urosepsis from gas-producing Escherichia coli. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: Isolated septic discitis, or disc infection without involvement of adjacent vertebrae, following E. coli urosepsis is an unusual finding in the adult population and to our knowledge has not been reported previously. METHODS.: The clinical manifestations and imaging findings of a patient with a history of back pain are described. The significance of the reported case is discussed. RESULTS.: Laboratory finding and imaging studies revealed a Gram-negative sepsis associated with meningitis, discitis, pneumocephalus, and solid organ abscesses. Due to widespread involvement of multiple organs, the infection remained refractory to treatment, and the patient died. CONCLUSION.: Our report adds to the literature by describing an unusual appearance of spine infection in an adult. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of a systematic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of low back pain.
KW - Isolated discitis
KW - Pneumocephalus
KW - Urosepsis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77951666353&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=77951666353&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181bca12f
DO - 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181bca12f
M3 - Article
C2 - 20228705
AN - SCOPUS:77951666353
SN - 0362-2436
VL - 35
SP - E257-E259
JO - Spine
JF - Spine
IS - 7
ER -