We report on 8 cases with pyogenic spondylitis comprised of 5 males and 3 females, for which early correct diagnosis was not made and treatment for different diseases was given. Five out of 8 cases were treated as collagen diseases and given steroids, 2 cases were diagnosed as matastasis of malignancy to the spine, and the last as respiratory infection. In 7 cases, even when lesions on X-rays were too small to achieve correct diagnosis as spondylitis, MRI was helpful by providing characteristic findings such as low intensity area on T1 weighted image and high on T2. However, in one case with cervical spondylitis, MRI taken at an early stage did not reveal a small pyogenic spondylitis lesion. To prevent overlooking pyogenic spondylitis, we should therefore pay particular attention to making correct diagnosis for patients with neck or back pain, and symptoms of inflammation.
