Pyogenic Spondylitis Accompanied by Urinary Tract Infection and Septic Arthritis of the Knee: A Case Report
Year: 2017
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Vertebral spondylitis is difficult to diagnose and is often treated as fever of unknown origin. We encountered a 46-year-old man with complaints of fever and back pain. He had costovertebral angle tenderness on percussion and elevated inflammatory markers on blood biochemistry; he was suspected to have urinary tract infection. A likely cause of fever, such as pyelonephritis, was elusive on non-contrast chest/abdomen/pelvis computed tomography and subsequent contrast computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Specialist radiology review was suggestive of vertebral spondylitis. Physical reexamination revealed numbness and muscle weakness consistent with the location of the lesions. Conservative antibiotic treatment was initiated. Septic right knee joint was also suspected, and arthroscopic washout with débridement was urgently performed. Inflammatory markers improved on conservative antibiotic treatment. In emergency settings, thorough physical examination and coordination between medical specialists is crucial.
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7208700549