Pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis after transcolonic gunshot wound.

Recently, pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis has been documented following transcolonic passage of bullets lodging in or near the vertebral column. It is becoming more recognized that foreign body missiles are not as sterile as was once thought--especially after passage through the gastrointestinal tract--and that this condition contributes to the incidence of infection in such bone injuries. In this article the problem of deciding on and implementing proper initial treatment and management of vertebral injuries caused by foreign body missiles is illustrated and discussed.