Bone Biopsy for Hematogenous Vertebral Osteomyelitis

Culture positivity was more likely from an open biopsy than from a percutaneous one; empirical antibiotic treatment was not associated with reduced culture positivity.

Establishing bacterial etiology is important in managing hematogenous vertebral osteomyelitis and often requires bone biopsy. Whether prebiopsy exposure to antibiotics affects microbiological yield is unknown. Also unknown is whether the type of biopsy — percutaneous needle or open surgical — makes a difference in culture positivity.

To examine these issues, investigators in St. Louis conducted a retrospective cohort study among adult inpatients with hematogenous vertebral osteomyelitis who underwent bone biopsy. Of the 92 patients included, 60 (65%) had a needle biopsy, and 32 (35%) had an open biopsy as part of a primary surgical procedure; 60 (65%) had been started on empirical antibiotic therapy before the biopsy.

Cultures for 61 patients…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)