Spondylodiscitis

Initially, the focus is on non-specific back pain, which is similar in intensity and spread to that which can also be caused by changes in the spine due to wear and tear. Pain occurs mainly at night or during exertion and is sometimes accompanied by night sweats, fever or weight loss. A very characteristic symptom is severe tapping and pressure pain in the affected vertebrae.

The term spondylodiscitis refers to an infection-related inflammation of the intervertebral disc and the immediately adjacent vertebral bodies. The diagnosis of spondylodiscitis is often made late, so that by this time the destruction of bone and intervertebral disc tissue may already have caused a resulting misalignment and/or instability. This disease can become life-threatening. In principle, patients of all age groups can become ill, but spondylodiscitis occurs most frequently in the 5th to 7th decade of life. It is mostly bacterial pathogens that cause this spinal infection, although viruses, fungi and other parasites can also be possible pathogens in rare cases. An infection remote from the vertebral body in the intestine, lungs or periodontium can cause the pathogens to colonize the intervertebral discs and vertebral body by spreading via the bloodstream.

The basic prerequisite for successful treatment and healing of spondylodiscitis is immobilization of the affected spinal section and antibiotic therapy. This can also be achieved under conservative conditions. Depending on the extent of the disease, however, surgical treatment is often necessary. Surgery is particularly necessary if antibiotic therapy does not lead to an improvement in symptoms or if neurological deficits occur. The disc tissue is surgically removed and the adjacent vertebral bodies are stiffened together to prevent any movement in the affected segment.