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Biomedical subjects

H Gunthorpe

Publications and source records attributed to H Gunthorpe.

2 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Diptheroids and associated infections as a cause of failed instrument stabilization procedures in the lumbar spine.

Between February 1985 and October 1987, the authors identified seven patients with occult lumbar spine infections associated with the presence of spinal fixation hardware. Six of these infections were with organisms of low virulence; four of the seven patients had polymicrobial infections. All of the polymicrobial infections contained a Diptheroid as one of the isolates. Two of the seven patients studied had normal sedimentation rates. All had white blood cell counts less than 12,000 cells. Imaging studies were not helpful with the exception of one case with a positive gallium scan. The diagnoses were supported by clinical presentation, pathologic tissue changes, positive cultures, and response to therapy. Successful therapy was obtained by removal of hardware and treatment with antibiotics.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1989

Occult infections causing persistent low-back pain.

Occult infections caused by indolent organisms may produce persistent back pain that may be difficult to diagnose. The usual findings considered indicative of spinal infection are not reliable in these cases. The authors describe nine patients who presented with occult infections of the lumbar spine. Two of the nine had no antecedent lumbar surgeries nor open wounds. The predominant organisms were diptheroids and coagulase-negative staphylococci. The diagnosis was established by the clinical course, pathologic tissue changes at surgery, cultures, and response to antibiotic therapy. Normal Westergren sedimentation rates were noted in seven of nine patients, and normal white blood cell counts in six of nine patients. With the exception of two positive computed tomography (CT) scans, one positive gallium scan, and one positive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, all remaining imaging studies were negative for infection. In many cases, the infection neither was limited to nor involved the disc space.

Abscess↗