Spondylodiscitis in Infants Under 6 Months with Negative Blood Culture: Case Report and Literature Review

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2025.90.1.2009
Keywords: Spondylodiscitis, spine, infant, negative culture

Abstract

In spondylitis, the infection is usually introduced hematogenously into the vertebral body. If it spreads to the intervertebral space, it is termed spondylodiscitis. In recent years, the incidence of pyogenic infections has increased. One of the main challenges in diagnosing spondylodiscitis is the delay due to nonspecific symptoms, particularly in infants under 1 year of age. Laboratory tests are also inconclusive, as parameters often remain normal or only slightly elevated. We present the case of a 4-month-old infant with spondylodiscitis and a negative blood culture, who was followed for 18 months. The condition resolved with conservative treatment using antibiotics and a thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO) brace.

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Author Biographies

Matías Leonardo Cullari, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Javier Dal Lago , Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Juan Ignacio De Giano, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Facundo Aguirre , Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Santiago Aguer, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ruy Lloyd, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Published
2025-02-24
How to Cite
Cullari, M. L., Dal Lago , J., De Giano, J. I., Aguirre , F., Aguer, S., & Lloyd, R. (2025). Spondylodiscitis in Infants Under 6 Months with Negative Blood Culture: Case Report and Literature Review. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 90(1), 73-79. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2025.90.1.2009
Issue
Vol 90 No 1 (2025)
Section
Case Presentations
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