Diskitis

Basics

DESCRIPTION

Often benign, self-limited inflammatory process of an intervertebral disk

EPIDEMIOLOGY

>50% of the cases occur in children <4 years of age.

INCIDENCE

Peak incidence is between 0 and 2 years of age.
Second peak: >10 years

PREVALENCE

Rare

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Probably of infectious etiology by an indolent organism
Usually none identified; occasionally, Staphylococcus aureus, Moraxella, or the Enterobacteriaceae are cultured.
Kingella kingae has been implicated in ages 6 months to 4 years old.
Can be a late complication after ingested button battery is removed

ETIOLOGY

Idiopathic, infectious, or traumatic

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