Vertebral osteomyelitis

Vertebral osteomyelitis, also known as pyogenic spondylitis, is a type of osteomyelitis occurring at a special site. It is clinically rare, accounting for 2%–4% of all osteomyelitis cases, and most commonly affects the lumbar vertebral bodies. It is divided into spinal cord inflammation and discitis. Acute onset accounts for about 50% of cases, while half of the patients have a subacute or chronic course. The disease is most common in young adults aged 20–40 years. Males are affected approximately 4 times more often than females. Due to variable clinical manifestations and different affected sites, the symptoms and signs vary, leading to frequent misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis.