Key Points
Î Native Vertebral Osteomyelitis (NVO) in adults is often the result of
hematogenous seeding of the adjacent disc space from a distant focus,
since the disc is avascular.
Î NVO is commonly monomicrobial and most frequently due to
Staphylococcus aureus.
Î The diagnosis of NVO is often delayed and often initially managed as
degeneration spine disease.
Î NVO is typically diagnosed in the setting of recalcitrant back pain
unresponsive to conservative measures and elevated systemic inflammatory
markers with or without fever.
Î The majority of patients are cured with a 6 week course of antimicrobial
therapy, but some patients may need surgical debridement and/or spinal
stabilization during or after a course of antimicrobial therapy.
