Biomedical subjects

L Schofferman

Publications and source records attributed to L Schofferman.

3 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↗

PubMed1990

Metabolic bone disease in lumbar pseudarthrosis.

Pseudarthrosis occurs in many patients who undergo lumbar spine fusion and it has been suggested that abnormalities of bone metabolism contribute to it. The authors evaluated 47 patients with pseudarthrosis for metabolic bone disease. Symptomatic patients with pseudarthrosis underwent metabolic bone evaluation. Abnormal results of laboratory tests were found in 7 patients (14.9%): 3 low or borderline 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3, 2 elevated 24-hour urine calcium, and 2 low serum testosterone. None of these abnormalities correlated with other clinical findings. Bone density was low in 14 of 24 patients in whom it was measured. Low values did not correlate with smoking or abnormal laboratory values. Metabolic bone abnormalities do not appear to play a frequent or significant role in pseudarthrosis after attempted lumbar spine fusion.

Adult↗

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↗