# Discitis Mimicking Septic Arthritis in a 17-Month-Old Boy

## TL;DR

A 17-month-old boy's discitis was initially mistaken for septic arthritis, highlighting the importance of recognizing its varied symptoms in young children.

## Contribution

This case emphasizes the need for clinicians to consider discitis in young children presenting with atypical symptoms.

## Key findings

- The child's initial symptoms and signs were consistent with septic arthritis, but MRI revealed discitis.
- Antibiotic treatment led to clinical improvement, confirming the diagnosis.
- Discitis in children can mimic other conditions, leading to diagnostic delays.

## Abstract

Discitis in children is uncommon, typically occurring between the ages of two and eight years. The etiology is not established, but it is generally considered a bacterial infection. Symptoms vary with age but commonly include irritability, refusal to walk, and back pain. These various clinical presentations cause delays in diagnosis. We present this case to draw attention and familiarise clinicians with its presentations.

A 17-month-old boy presented with a one-week history of refusal to walk. Examination showed an unusual finding of the child keeping his right leg in a flexed position with hip tenderness. Inflammatory markers were raised. Initially, the patient was managed for suspected septic arthritis of the hip joint. Initial tests were inconclusive, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on day 23 revealed discitis at L4-L5. After a course of antibiotics and monitoring of inflammatory markers, his clinical condition improved.

The mainstay of treatment is antibiotics, with surgery reserved for complicated cases. Discitis has a good prognosis in children.