BACKGROUND: The authors reviewed nine patients presenting with discitis during infancy, demonstrating that its diverse forms of presentation lead to a delayed and difficult diagnosis. METHODS: This study reports that initial radiographs may not show any alterations, enhancing the importance of scintillography or magnetic resonance for these cases. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: One patient was submitted to surgical treatment for lumbar canal decompression due to the presence of a disk abscess. The remaining patients were treated conservatively only with an appropriate antibiotic therapy, immobilization and restriction of physical activity. All of the young patients had a satisfactory evolution and stated no complaints about sequels during their final evaluation.
Intervertebral disk; Infection and discitis
