Rapid manifestation of cervical vertebral osteomyelitis.

Within 10 days after cystoscopy causing urosepsis this patient developed persistant neckpain as initial symptom of vertebral osteomyelitis. E. coli was isolated from urine, blood cultures and later from bone biopsy. Antibiotic treatment did not stop the progress of the disease. A transverse spinal cord syndrome occurred due to a pathological fracture of C5 and C6 and operative decompression was necessary. The rapid onset of osteomyelitis was impressive. For effective treatment of bacterial osteomyelitis a bone biopsy is sometimes unavoidable and indicated.