Abstract
Spinal disc infection is associated with a significant morbidity and mortality in the acute setting. On long term review it leads to significant moribidity due to the deformity and secondary osteoarthritic changes in the surrounding vertebral segments.
Prospective collection of data of 21 patients suffering from discitis was collected over the span of last 10 years. The age group ranged between 21 -67 yrs. The male: female ratio was 1.2:1. The minimum delay in presentation since the onset of symptoms was 8 weeks. The detection of the micro-organism was either by needle/open biopsy or indirectly via blood cultures. Serial records were maintained of inflammatory markers. All patients received plain radiographs, gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging scans, and bone/gallium radionuclide studies
Operative decompression was performed in 7 patients. Infection elsewhere was the most common predisposing factor. Leukocyte counts were elevated in 54% of spondylodiscitis cases. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and CRP were elevated in all cases of epidural abscess. The most common organism was Staph Aureus. Antibiotics were administered for duration of at least 6 weeks. On long term, all patients developed deformity at the level of the infection, with half of them being symptomatic.
Spinal infections are extremely morbid conditions demanding prompt diagnosis and urgent treatment to prevent complications.
Ethics approval: Audit Committee Interest statement: No conflict of interest
