30/07/2026
❌ Not all the spine infections need surgery or screw fixation.
✅ Spinal Biopsy may be the only thing you need before venturing for a morbid surgery
A 74 year old lady came with severe low back pain with no leg pain (no symptoms of compression in the spinal nerves). She could barely stand and walk due to pain. MRI showed infection in the L4 vertebra with surrounding pus collection.
She was advised surgery (screw fixation ) in multiple places but opted for a final opinion.
We examined her thoroughly, analysed her scans and decided to first go for a biopsy of the vertebra to see what exactly the disease is.
Likewise, we performed a percutaneous (1 cm cut) Transpedicular biopsy of the vertebra and adjoining disc space. The infection came out to be a specific pyogenic bacteria and appropriate antibiotics were started.
Now, she is in the path of recovery and started to walk again. Back pain decreased significantly.
✅ Timely accurate diagnosis and modern spine surgery principles can save a patient from a premature surgery.
