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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
08:25
Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling
Published on: April 7, 2015
[Endocarditis manifesting as a spondylodiscitis and psoas abscess]
A Berger1, C Zenklusen, P Kaeser
1Service de médecine interne, Hôpital des Cadolles, Neuchâtel.
Revue Medicale De La Suisse Romande
|March 12, 1999
Summary
Bacterial endocarditis revealed by spondylodiscitis is rare, with only 80 cases reported. This case highlights the need to investigate endocarditis in spondylodiscitis patients, as cardiac ultrasound is mandatory for prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Bacterial endocarditis presenting as spondylodiscitis is a rare clinical manifestation.
- Fewer than 80 cases have been documented since 1965, underscoring its infrequent occurrence.
Observation:
- A 59-year-old female patient presented with meningitis, subsequently developing signs of spondylodiscitis and a psoas abscess.
- These symptoms were indicative of an underlying bacterial endocarditis.
Findings:
- The case demonstrates that spondylodiscitis can be a revealing sign of bacterial endocarditis.
- Prompt identification of endocarditis is crucial for patient management.
Implications:
- Healthcare providers must consider endocarditis in patients with spondylodiscitis.
- Mandatory cardiac ultrasound and a six-week follow-up are essential for assessing valvular disease and determining prognosis.
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