• Xiujun Zheng, Jian Wang, Chunhui Wu, and Amir A Mehbod.
• Department of Spine Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, P. R. China. xiujunzheng@hotmail.com
• Spine J. 2009 Nov 1;9(11):e1-4.

Background ContextSalmonella vertebral osteomyelitis is a well-known complication of sickle cell disease. However, it has been infrequently reported in immunologically normal people or diabetic patients.PurposeTo report a case of Salmonella vertebral osteomyelitis in a diabetic patient with multiple rib infections, large bilateral psoas muscle abscesses, and pleural effusion.Study Design/SettingCase report.MethodsA case of Salmonella vertebral osteomyelitis is reported in a 42-year-old man with diabetes. The patient had multiple rib and T12 vertebral infections with pleural effusion and large bilateral psoas muscle abscesses. The adjacent discs were intact.ResultsDiagnosis was made by computed tomography-guided psoas muscle abscess drainage and aspirate culture. Appropriate antibiotic treatment resulted in a favorable outcome. The patient had mild back pain with a 38 degrees residual kyphosis at his thoracolumbar junction after treatment.ConclusionsVertebral osteomyelitis caused by Salmonella is uncommon in diabetic patients. Salmonella can cause multiple bone infections and large abscesses of psoas muscles in patients without sickle cell disease. Correct diagnosis can be confirmed by blood, biopsy, or abscess culture. Appropriate antibiotic treatment was effective.

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