Lumbar Discitis Due to Intrauterine Purulent Infection Induced by Removing the Intrauterine Contraceptive Ring: a Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Intrauterine purulent infection is a severe pelvic inflammatory disease, which manifests as fever, abdominal pain, and increased vaginal secretions. Discitis is an infectious disease which may both affect the intervertebral disc space and the adjacent vertebrae or cartilage plate. Due to the absence of typical symptoms and signs, the clinical diagnosis of this disease may be delayed until damaged pyramidal bone and decreased lower-limb muscle strength. We reported a case of lumbar discitis caused by intrauterine purulent infection after removing the intrauterine contraceptive ring, presenting with low back pain with walking disorder, then conducted a literature review to deepen the understanding of the pathogens, routes of infection transmission, diagnostic criteria, treatment principles and serious adverse consequences of pelvic inflammatory disease. For nonspecific intervertebral discitis, clinicians should carefully ask for the medical history and the progression of the disease, in addition to laboratory and imaging tests. It is especially important to make a diagnosis and perform the surgery in time.

Keywords

• pelvic inflammatory disease|ring removal|intrauterine infection|lumbar discitis|escherichia coli infections|case reports