Septic arthritis of a lumbar facet joint case report and review of the literature.


Published online: Jun 27 2004

Smida, Lejri, Kandara, Sayed, Ben Chehida, Ben Ghachem,

Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics, Tunis Children's Hospital, 1007 Bab Saadoun, Tunis, Tunisia.

Abstract

Septic arthritis of a lumbar facet joint (SALFJ) is a very rare condition. It has mostly been described in adults. Only one other paediatric case has been reported. We present a case of septic arthritis of the left L5-S1 lumbar facet joint, associated with epiduritis and paraspinal abscess, in an 8-year-old boy. Plain radiographs and Technetium bone scan were negative. The diagnosis was made by blood cultures, which isolated staphylococcus epidermidis, and by MRI. The child was treated successfully with antibiotics only.

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