J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2008 Oct;43(5):560-566. 10.4055/jkoa.2008.43.5.560.

An Analysis of Patients with Single and Combined Pyogenic Spinal Infections

• Kim JH
• Suh SP
• Kang CN
• Park YS

• KMID: 2186416
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2008.43.5.560

Abstract

PURPOSE: Pyogenic spinal infection encompasses a broad range of clinical entities, treatment and prognosis. We compared the symptoms and treatment efficacy of patients with single and combined spinal infections.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between June 2001 and November 2006, 30 patients with pyogenic spinal infections were treated in our hospital and outcomes were evaluated through ESR, CRP, and clinical improvement. Groups 1 and 2 represented patients with single lesions and patients with combined lesions, respectively.
RESULTS
Group 1 included 7 men and 8 women, and the preoperative mean ESR and CRP were 62.7 mm/hr and 5.7 mg/dl. The most common clinical presentation was back pain. Nine patients in group 1 underwent operation, and two underwent instrumentation. Group 2 included 4 men and 11 women, and the preoperative mean ESR and CRP were 78.5 mm/hr and 16.7 mg/dl. The most common clinical presentations were back pain and fever. Thirteen patients in group 2 underwent operation, and six underwent instrumentation. There were more underlying diseases in group 2.
CONCLUSION
There were more underlying diseases and higher preoperative inflammatory-reactive laboratory findings in patients with combined spinal infections. Careful attention must be directed to treatment in order to secure favorable clinical outcomes in patients with combined infections.

Keyword

Pyogenic spinal infection; Combined infection

MeSH Terms

Back Pain
Female
Fever
Humans
Male
Prognosis
Treatment Outcome

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