Atypical presentation of spontaneous discitis: case report.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous discitis is primarily a pediatric illness. Adult patients usually present at an average age of 69 years with a history of diabetes or with a systemic infection. The lumbar spine is the most frequent site of infection (54%), and the cervical is the least at 10%. The causative organisms are most commonly Staphylococcus aureus and beta-hemolytic streptococcus species. Intravenous antibiotics are the mainstays of treatment, and surgical intervention is usually not required.

CASE PRESENTATION: A single case observation with an unusual presentation from the statistically typical criterion of discitis is described.

CONCLUSIONS: Atypical discitis needs to be considered in the differential diagnoses in the middle-aged and healthy population.