A 44-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Room with back pain for 3 weeks associated with fever. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management? A. Tub... A 44-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Room with back pain for 3 weeks associated with fever. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management? A. Tuberculin (PPD) test B. Brucella titers C. Biopsy of T6 vertebrae D. Perform a bone marrow aspiration for culture.
Understand the Problem
The question presents a clinical scenario involving a 44-year-old woman with back pain, fever, and weakness. It asks what the most appropriate next step in management would be, implying a need to identify the best medical procedure or test from the given options.
Answer
Biopsy of T6 vertebrae
The most appropriate next step in management is a biopsy of the T6 vertebrae.
Answer for screen readers
The most appropriate next step in management is a biopsy of the T6 vertebrae.
More Information
Given the presentation of back pain, fever, and neurological signs along with the MRI findings of discitis, it is crucial to obtain a tissue diagnosis through a biopsy. This can help in identifying the infectious organism, guiding antimicrobial therapy.
Tips
A common mistake is choosing non-invasive tests like PPD or titers that are less directly diagnostic compared to a biopsy in this context.
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