CT differential diagnosis of spondylitis in childhood and adolescence

Full text: The aim of this study was to systematize the most important criteria for early and exact diagnosis of spondylitis in childhood and adolescence. The authors present cases (proved by blood samples and histologically) of spondylitis (specific, non-specific, chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis), plasmacytomas, eosinophilic granuloma, metastases, aseptic necrosis in children from 9 to 17 years old, examined by conventional and helical CT. After ascertaining of osteolythical changes in the vertebral bodies, the diagnostic algorithm dictates to analyze the number of the vertebra involved, the presence of lesions in the vertebral arches, the intervertebral spaces and soft tissues. The clinical courses of the visual changes in infectious spondylitis are various and often are non-specific. In the absence of convincing blood sample changes in the aspect of differential diagnosis, there should be thought of a wide variety of diseases