Intervertebral disk infection in children

The clinical data of six children with intervertebral disk infection are compared with those of twenty cases reported by others. The intense pain caused by the disease creates problems in the examination of the child but the history and resultant pattern of limited movement should suggest the possibility of the clinical diagnosis. The diagnosis is confirmed by radiographic examination. Although the infection appears to be due to the staphylococcus in many instances, the clinical course is self-limited.