Clinical features of spondylodiscitis by affected sites

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the clinical features of spondylodiscitis by affected sites.

Methods: Fifty-eight patients (24 females and 34 males) with spondylodiscitis who were treated at our hospital between January 2018 and June 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. The mean age of patients was 71 years. The most common site for spondylodiscitis was the lumbar spine, followed by the cervical spine and thoracic spine. The ratio of epidural abscess, neurological disorders, and emergency operation by affected sites was examined.

Results: Among the 58 patients, 51 patients were cured, one patient remained unchanged, and six patients died at discharge. Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus was the most common causative microorganism identified. Epidural abscesses occurred in 21 patients, with a higher rate in the cervical spine. An emergency operation was performed in seven patients, with a lower rate in the lumbar spine. Among 21 patients with epidural abscesses, neurological disorder was less common in the lumbar spine, and emergency operation was performed more frequently in the thoracic spine. Among 13 patients with neurological disorders, almost all patients had epidural abscesses, and emergency operation was performed in all thoracic spine cases.

Conclusion: Epidural abscesses in the cervical or thoracic spine were associated with a higher risk of neurological disorders.