Work

Interspinous Bursitis due to Staphylococcus aureus in an Adolescent

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background Interspinous bursitis is exceptionally rare in children, contrasting with degenerative forms in adults. Case Presentation A 16‐year‐old male presented with acute severe low back pain, fever (39°C), and focal L3‐L5 tenderness. CRP was 233 mg/L; blood cultures grew methicillin‐susceptible Staphylococcus aureus . Imaging progression (US, CT‐scan, MRI, PET‐CT) confirmed L3‐L4 interspinous bursitis without bone/disc involvement, distinguishing it from spondylodiscitis. Management Cefazolin IV (10 days) followed by oral ciprofloxacin (4 weeks), a lumbar brace, and rehabilitation yielded complete recovery. Conclusions Pediatric interspinous bursitis presents as febrile back pain via hematogenous dissemination. MRI is diagnostic, excluding spondylodiscitis. Conservative management with early antibiotic switch is effective when imaging excludes bone/disc involvement. This case highlights distinguishing features and optimal management of this rare pediatric entity.

Source: Case Reports in Pediatrics

DOI: 10.1155/crpe/7740167

Authors: Florine Foré, Yasmine Lamrous, Antoine Delval, Audrey Vanrenterghem, Djamal Djeddi

Institution: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Amiens-Picardie

Language: English

Topic: Infectious Diseases and Tuberculosis

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $790