Spondylodiscitis, nephrology department's experience

Spondylodiscitis is an infection of the vertebral body and adjacent intervertebral discs, whose most common means of spreading is the haematogenous route. It is a rare disease but its overall incidence is increasing, mainly due to increased bacteraemia in patients with intravascular devices, such as that used in patients on renal replacement therapy with haemodialysis. Its diagnosis is difficult due to non-specific symptoms and as such, for early and accurate diagnosis, MRI is necessary. The early empirical antibiotic treatment and the multidisciplinary approach may improve the prognosis of this potentially serious infection. We report a series of cases diagnosed with spondylodiscitis in our Nephrology Unit.