Table 2:
The classification of the case by pathologic reporta
| No. | |
|---|---|
| Histology(+) | 115 |
| Culture(+) | 51 |
| Culture(−) | 64 |
| Histology(−) | 55 |
| Infection | 32 |
| Noninfection | 13 |
| Follow-up loss | 1 |
| Inadequate specimen | 5 |
| Etc | 4 |
| Total | 170 |
Note:—Etc. indicates the case that infectious spondylitis was suspected on MRI image, but clinical symptoms were improved without empirical antibiotic treatment.
a
For Histology(+), the pathology report was recorded as follows: “consistent with infectious spondylitis,” “active or acute inflammation,” “suggestive of osteomyelitis,” “chronic granulomatous inflammation.” Histology(−) is the rest except the histology(+). Culture(+) indicates cases of identification of the causative organism. Culture(−) is cases of no identification of the causative organism.