Vertebral Osteomyelitis

Overview

4.7 out of 5 (15 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Post Assessment Questions

7

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

25 Nov 2024

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


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Activity Description

Vertebral osteomyelitis, also called spinal osteomyelitis or spondylodiskitis, accounts for 3% to 5% of all osteomyelitis cases annually. This condition often presents nonspecifically and can lead to diagnostic delays that last several months. Vertebral osteomyelitis is usually caused by a single pathogen, such as Staphylococcus aureus or Propionibacterium acnes. Common risk factors include advanced age, immunosuppression, diabetes, intravenous drug use, and malnutrition. Back pain is the most common symptom, with neurological impairment affecting one-third of patients. A systematic clinical diagnostic approach and the use of recommended management strategies are essential for optimizing clinical outcomes.

The diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis is based on elevated inflammatory markers, imaging studies, and blood cultures. When blood cultures are negative, an image-guided biopsy may be required. Treatment focuses on pathogen-targeted antibiotic therapy, while surgery is reserved for cases involving neurological deficits, spinal instability, or failure of medical therapy. Timely recognition and treatment are vital to minimizing morbidity, including the risks of spinal deformity, paraplegia, and death. This activity provides necessary skills to healthcare professionals for recognizing vertebral osteomyelitis, performing recommended evaluations, and implementing effective interprofessional management strategies to improve patient outcomes.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify the clinical signs and risk factors associated with vertebral osteomyelitis to facilitate early recognition and diagnosis.

  • Implement evidence-based management strategies, including pathogen-targeted antibiotic therapy, to optimize treatment outcomes for vertebral osteomyelitis patients.

  • Apply appropriate diagnostic modalities, including blood cultures, imaging studies, and biopsies, to confirm vertebral osteomyelitis in patients with suspected infection.

  • Collaborate with infectious disease specialists, radiologists, and surgeons to develop a comprehensive, patient-centered management plan for vertebral osteomyelitis.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Physicians and Physician Associates: StatPearls, LLC designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians and PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Board of Internal Medicine: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment Examination requirements of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery’s (ABOS) Maintenance of Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABOS credit.

American Board of Pathology: Successful completion of this Continuing Certification activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 Lifelong Learning (CME) credits in the American Board of Pathology’s Continuing Certification Program.

American Board of Pediatrics: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABP MOC credit.

American Board of Surgery: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirement(s) of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada: Through an agreement between the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, medical practitioners participating in the Royal College MOC Program may record completion of accredited activities registered under the ACCME’s “CME in Support of MOC” program in Section 3 of the Royal College’s MOC Program.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Thomas S. on 7/26/2021

Alfonso F. on 12/10/2021

Thank you.

Maria G. on 5/5/2022

Rachel E. on 11/11/2022

Bergen S. on 12/30/2022

Anandit M. on 5/16/2023

Jordan L. on 10/28/2023

Barry m. on 2/6/2024

Benjamin W. on 2/29/2024

Clare G. on 5/17/2024

Aneesh M. on 5/29/2024

Michael L. on 8/6/2024

JOEL C. on 8/23/2024

Emma C. on 9/3/2024

Christopher R. on 9/30/2024

Unlimited Physician CME

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6824 CME activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 8106.5 hours of CME.

Learn About Lifetime CME

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$49 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$329 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$499 per 1 year per user