Table 2 Diagnostic workup, treatment, and outcomes of 70 patients with hematogenous vertebral osteomyelitis

   WBC count within first 24 hours of admission (median, range), K/mm³

11.5 (3.3-42.7)

   ESR (median, range), mm/h

93.5 (8-140)

   CRP (median, range), mg/dL

88.7 (0.4-472)

   Temperature within first 24 hours (median, range), °C

37.4 (36.6-40.0)

Diagnostic work-up

   Blood culture on admission

60 (86%)

   Needle biopsy

29 (41%)

   Open biopsy

15 (21%)

Treatment

   Any surgery performed

16 (23%)

   Laminectomy/Discectomy

10 (14%)

   Laminectomy/Fusion

5 (7%)

   Corpectomy

1 (1%)

Outcomes

   Paralysis developed during admission

1 (1%)

   Median hospital length of stay (days, range)

12 (3-59)

   Discharge location

Home or home health

25 (36%)

SNF/LTCF/Rehabilitation

41 (59%)

   In-hospital mortality

3 (4%)