Spondylodiszitis

Spondylodiscitis is a serious infectious disease of the intervertebral discs, vertebral bodies and adjacent structures. Due to the initially unspecific symptoms, especially in the older population, the disease is often diagnosed at advanced stages. If diagnosis is delayed, spondylodiscitis can lead to sepsis and septic shock with multiple organ failure and death. Through a thorough medical history, magnetic resonance examination of the entire spine, blood cultures and CT-targeted or open biopsy of the affected spinal sections, the disease can rapidly be diagnosed and the microbiological trigger be identified in most cases. Long-term antibiotic therapy, intensive care stabilization of organ functions and spine surgery in severe cases are the mainstay of a successful multidisciplinary therapy.