Osteomyelitis following translumbar aortography.

Osteomyelitis of the lumbar spine occurred in a patient following translumbar aortography. Treatment included surgical drainage and systemic antibiotic therapy. Fever and progresive neurological dysfunction were relieved. There is controversy about the safety and efficacy of translumbar versus percutaneous transfemoral aortography. The translumbar route, is not the primary approach, is a reasonable alternative; bleeding complications are infrequent and infection is rare.