Table 1.
Radiological/hematology, microbiology, and pathology features of the cases. Facet joint involvement
| Radiological feature | Case 1 | Case 2 | Case 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | T12–L1–L2 | T11–T12 | L4–L5–S1 |
| End plate involvement | + | + | + |
| Gas in the disc | − (fluid+) | − (fluid+) | − (fluid+) |
| Facet fragmentation + | Facet fragmentation + | Facet fragmentation + | |
| Joint disorganization and deformity | + | + | + |
| Debris | + | + | + |
| Bony sclerosis | + | + | − |
| Para spinal soft tissue component | + | + | + |
| DISH | + | − | − |
| Fistula | − | + | − |
| Syrinx | + | + | − |
| Epidural soft tissue | + | + | + |
| Total leukocyte count (TLC) | 4200 cells/cubic mm | 10,180 cells/cubic mm | 10,500 cells/cubic mm |
| ESR | 125 mm/h | 120 mm/h | 99 mm/h |
| CRP | 114 mg/L | 169 mg/L | 155 mg/L |
| Preoperative urine culture | E. coli | − | − |
| Preoperative wound swab/ swelling aspiration | E. coli and Pseudomonas (groin aspirate) | MRSA (swab from the fistulous track) | − |
| Intraoperative sample culture analysis | Pseudomonas and E. coli | MRSA | Mycobacterium Tuberculosis |
| Histopathology | Negative for malignancy and granulomatous infection | Negative for malignancy and granulomatous infection | Suggestive of granulomatous infection but negative for malignancy |
T thoracic, L lumbar, DISH diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP C reactive protein, MRSA methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus