Vertebral Body Emphysematous Osteomyelitis in a Diabetic Patient: A Rare Entity Revealed by CT scan

Background: Emphysematous osteomyelitis is an extremely rare and potentially life-threatening infection, defined by the presence of intraosseous gas, most often caused by gas-forming Gram-negative. The vertebral column is an uncommon site of involvement, with very few cases reported to date. Diabetes mellitus is a well-recognized predisposing factor, as it compromises host immunity and creates a favorable environment for rapid bacterial proliferation. We report the case of emphysematous osteomyelitis of the L4 vertebra in a 69-year-old female patient admitted to the intensive care unit for diabetic ketoacidosis.