Abstract
We report four cases of pyogenic lumbar facet joint arthritis at our institution from February 2004 to September 2007. Two males and two females were included in this study. The average age of the four patients was 67.0 years (range: 55-73). The predisposing conditions of the patients were diabetes mellitus (1 case), alcohol-related liver injury (2 cases), old brain infarction (1 case), hypertension (2 cases)and infective endocarditis associated with valvular disorder (1 case). Affected facet joints were L3/4 (2 cases), L4/5 (1 case) and double lesion of L3/4 and L4/5 (1 case). All of these were involved unilaterally. Fat suppressed T2 weighted MR image was very effective for diagnosis. We performed the operation and subsequent antibiotic administration in one case, and antibiotic therapy alone in three cases. In the latest follow up assessment, all the patients remained afebrile and had a marked reduction of low back pain.
