Narrative review of childhood diskitis covering pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and treatment. The central question: how should clinicians diagnose and manage this pediatric spinal infection while avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures?
When a toddler refuses to walk or an older child presents with vague abdominal pain, examine the spine — diskitis won't always announce itself as back pain.
Start empiric IV antistaphylococcal antibiotics once the diagnosis is established; reserve biopsy for children who fail to improve, since pediatric culture yields are low and the procedure requires general anesthesia.
Narrative review of childhood diskitis covering pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and treatment. The central question: how should clinicians diagnose and manage this pediatric spinal infection while avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures?
When a toddler refuses to walk or an older child presents with vague abdominal pain, examine the spine — diskitis won't always announce itself as back pain.
Start empiric IV antistaphylococcal antibiotics once the diagnosis is established; reserve biopsy for children who fail to improve, since pediatric culture yields are low and the procedure requires general anesthesia.