| Summary: | <p>Native vertebral osteomyelitis (NVO) is a potentially fatal infection which
has seen a gradual increase in its incidence over the past decades. The
infection is insidious, presenting with symptoms of back pain. Fever is
present in about 60 % of patients. Prompt diagnosis of NVO is important to
prevent the development of complications. Numerous laboratory and imaging
tools can be deployed to accurately establish the diagnosis. Imaging
techniques such as magnetic resonance, nuclear imaging, and computed
tomography are essential in diagnosing NVO but can also be useful in
image-guided biopsies. Laboratory tools include routine blood tests,
inflammatory markers, and routine culture techniques of aspirated specimens.
Recent advances in molecular techniques can assist in identifying offending
pathogen(s). In this review, we detail the arsenal of techniques that can be
utilized to reach a diagnosis of NVO.</p>
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