Clin Orthop Surg.  2011 Sep;3(3):254-257. 10.4055/cios.2011.3.3.254.

Chronic Osteomyelitis of the Lumbar Transverse Process

• Lee BJ
• Kim ST
• Yoon MG
• Kim SS
• Moon MS

• KMID: 1743918
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/cios.2011.3.3.254

Abstract

Pyogenic spondylitis involving only the posterior element of a vertebra is rare. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports of osteomyelitis of the transverse process. We report here on a 45-year-old male with a one month history of swelling associated with lower back pain. The magnetic resonance imaging showed a paraspinal soft tissue mass, and computed tomography revealed a fine osteolytic lesion in the right transverse process of the 5th lumbar spine, and this was all consistent with chronic osteomyelitis. A mixed staphylococcal infection was identified. Open drainage, resection of the transverse process and intravenous injection of anti-staphylococcal antibiotics resolved the back pain and reduced the erythrocyte sedimentation rate to normal. Pyogenic osteomyelitis of the transverse process is extremely rare, which can cause a misdiagnosis or a delayed diagnosis. Careful consideration of this disease is needed when evaluating patients who complain of back pain.

Keyword

Osteomyelitis; Transverse process; Lumbar spine

MeSH Terms

Chronic Disease
Humans
*Lumbar Vertebrae
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Middle Aged
Osteomyelitis/*diagnosis/therapy
Spinal Diseases/*diagnosis/therapy
Staphylococcal Infections/*diagnosis/therapy
Tomography, X-Ray Computed