Ciccioli NM, Medina M, Bazán PL, Borri ÁE

Language: Spanish
References: 9
Page: 6-10
PDF size: 183.37 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: 70 to 80% of the world population between 20 and 50 years of age has suffered at least once in their life an episode of low back pain. Septic arthritis of the vertebral articular facets (SAVAF) is a pathology that must be taken into account in the presence of persistent low back pain or atypical characteristics. Generally of bacterial etiology, and of unknown exact incidence mainly due to underdiagnosis. If not treated in a timely manner, it can leave serious sequelae, even lead to the death of the patient. Management of this condition can vary from medical treatment through appropriate antibiotic therapy, or surgical drainage being necessary. Objective: Determine epidemiological factors, recognize diagnostic considerations, analyze therapeutic possibilities, evaluate possible complications, and review the literature. Material and methods: The clinical presentation, imaging and laboratory studies are analyzed, and the bibliography on the subject is updated. Results: Four cases are presented with acute low back pain without response to anesthetics, which must be taken into account for the performance of studies (MRI and laboratory) for its diagnostic confirmation. Conclusions: SAVAF is a rare condition, of bacterial cause, which is observed associated with states of immunosuppression. The diagnosis is established by clinical suspicion, laboratory and MRI. Knowing the causative germ is essential for targeted treatment. Intravenous antibiotic therapy is the first choice. SAVAF must be within differential diagnoses.

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