Twenty-eight cases of vertebral osteomyelitis were diagnosed at Hamad
General Hospital in Qatar between January 1988 and December 1991: 16 (
57.2%) cases were tuberculous spondylitis, 6 (21.4%) Brucella spondyli
tis, 3 (10.7%) Staphylococcus aureus spondylitis, 2 (7.1%) Salmonella
spondylitis, and 1 (3.6%) Pseudomonas cepacia spondylitis. Plain verte
bral x-ray films and CT scans were abnormal in all patients. Bone and
gallium scans were abnormal in 87.5% and 64% of cases respectively. Cl
inical manifestations, haematological and radiological investigations
were not able to differentiate between the causes. Serological tests w
ere helpful in diagnosing Brucella spondylitis. CT-guided needle biops
y was able to identify the aetiology in 90% of cases. We conclude that
invasive tests are still needed to establish the microbiological diag
nosis and to guide antimicrobial therapy in most cases of vertebral os
teomyelitis.