Nocardial vertebral osteomyelitis.

A 20-year-old man illustrates the tragedy with delay in diagnosis of Nocardia asteroides osteomyelitis. Major morbidity occurred despite care at a major medical facility. If the patient survives, lifelong medical and nursing care will have to be provided. The site of the primary infection is still unclear. Central nervous system and vertebral body involvement have resulted in significant disability. The disease should be suspected and aggressive diagnostic procedures carried out in any patient with a dysfunction of the pulmonary or central nervous system.