Spondylodiscitis is an infection of the intervertebral disc and osteomyelitis of the surrounding vertebrae. There are a number of potential causes for this infection, with hematogenous spread of infectious organisms being the most common.Staphylococcus aureus has been found to be the most prevalent of the several organisms that have been implicated in the problem.
Clinical presentation is variable; symptoms and signs comprise back pain, fever, nausea, and loss of weight. Due to its indolent character, and the difficult differential diagnosis, the diagnosis is often delayed. This sometimes causes serious complications such as irreversible neurological deficits or death.
We can rely on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect spondylodiscitis in the early stages when conventional imaging methods like plain films and computed tomography (CT) are unreliable. The definite diagnosis could be achievable by taking biopsy of the disc in addition to isolation of the organism.
AIM OF THE WORK:
The aim of our study was to evaluate the results of one center in surgical management in patients of thoracic and lumbar spondylodiscitis.