Severe back pain in an adolescent - what to suspect?

Authors

  • Catarina Schrempp Esteves Child and Adolescent Center, Hospital CUF Descobertas
  • Ricardo Craveiro Costa Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Pediátrico, Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9951-8859
  • João Brissos Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Dona Estefânia
  • Pedro Flores Child and Adolescent Center, Hospital CUF Descobertas https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8991-1980
  • Hugo Castro Faria Child and Adolescent Center, Hospital CUF Descobertas https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9250-2734

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25753/BirthGrowthMJ.v34.i2.35627

Keywords:

adolescent, back pain, osteomyelitis

Abstract

We present a case involving an adolescent who visited our emergency department with a two-day history of debilitating lower back pain affecting daily activities. The pain’s intensity and presence of fever raised concerns, prompting a bone scintigraphy that led to an osteomyelitis diagnosis. Timely identification of osteomyelitis is crucial due to its potential life-threatening nature. Staphylococcus aureus infection, prevalent in skin and deep tissue infections, is the most common etiology across all age groups. Swift diagnosis and treatment play a pivotal role in achieving positive outcomes.

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References

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Published

2025-06-26

How to Cite

1.
Schrempp Esteves C, Craveiro Costa R, Brissos J, Flores P, Castro Faria H. Severe back pain in an adolescent - what to suspect?. BGMJ [Internet]. 2025 Jun. 26 [cited 2026 Jan. 12];34(2):74-7. Available from: https://revistas.rcaap.pt/bgmj/article/view/35627

Issue

Vol. 34 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Clinical Case Reports

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Catarina Schrempp Esteves, Ricardo Craveiro Costa, João Brissos, Pedro Flores, Hugo Castro Faria

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