Vertebral osteomyelitis - Bone marrow infection which can spread to the cortex and periosteum via haversian canals. Can cause bony necrosis and loss of spinal stability

Infection can be in the discs - discitis

A relatively rare disease - 1 per 40,000 to 1 per 250,000 per year

Aetiology

Causes:

• Direct spread - Spinal trauma, surgery
• Haematogenous Infections that settles in an IV disc (usually following an episode of acute sepsis)

Causative organisms:

Usually Staphylococcus aeurus

Chronic osteomyelitis can result from - TB, AIDS, E.Coli

Risk factors

• Age (1st)
• Diabetes (2nd)
• Intravenous drug user
• HIV/AIDS
• Recent spinal procedure or a recent spinal fracture
• Other conditions - Liver cirrhosis, cancer, RA, CKD