Surgical Management of Pyogenic Discitis of Lumbar Region

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of patients who had pyogenic discitis and were managed surgically. PURPOSE: To analyze the bacteriology, pathology, management and outcome of pyogenic discitis of the lumbar region treated surgically. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Surgical management of pyogenic discitis is still an infrequently used modality of treatment. METHODS: A total of 42 patients comprised of 33 males and 9 females who had pyogenic discitis with a mean age of 51.61 years (range, 16-75 years) were included in this study. All the cases were confirmed as having pyogenic discitis by pus culture report and histopathological examination. The mean follow-up period was 41.9 months. RESULTS: Debridement and posterior lumbar interbody fusion with autologous iliac bone graft was done in all cases. Thirteen (30.95%) patients had other medical co-morbidities. Five cases had a previous operation of the spine, and three cases had a history of vertebral fracture. Three patients were operated for gynaecological problems, and four cases had a history of urological surgery. L4-5 level was the most frequent site of pyogenic discitis. The most common bacterium isolated was Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Radiologically good fusion was seen in the majority of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Pyogenic discitis should be suspected in people having pain and local tenderness in the spinal region with a rise in inflammatory parameters in blood. The most common bacterium was S. aureus, but there were still a greater number of patients infected with other types of bacteria. Therefore, antibiotics therapy should be started only after isolating the bacteria and making the culture sensitivity report.

Answer to the Topic "Management of Pyogenic Discitis"

No abstract available.

Hand Injuries in the Oil Fields of Brunei Darussalam

Hands are essential organs and their agility and dexterity are vital to our daily lives. In the present study, we analysed 107 patients who presented at the local hospital with hand injuries sustained in the oil fields, oil industries and related employment sectors from the surrounding regions. All the patients were male and the mean age was 37.89 years (range,21-61y). Forty-seven (43.93%) patients had simple cut injuries, 14 patients (13.08%) had tendon injuries, 13 patients (12.14%) had amputation of the digit (30.84%) had bone fractures (including 20 (66.66%) open fractures). Only 19 (17.75%) patients were admitted in hospital for further treatment. Ninety-one (85.04%) patients injured within one year of employment and 57(53.27%) patients were not satisfied with instructions and orientation before starting their job. Hand injury is one of the most common injuries in the oil industry and overtime work further increases incidence of this injury.