Abstract
Spondylodiscitis consists of an inflammatory process of infectious origin that affects
primarily the intervertebral disc and spreads to the adjacent vertebral bodies, often
evolving into osteomyelitis, with consequent associated neurological damage. The diagnosis
is often delayed, with an average of 2 to 6 months between the appearance of the first
symptoms and the confirmation of the disease. Therefore, the laboratorial and imaging
exams play an important role in the diagnosis of spondylodiscitis, as well as in the
orientation for the treatment to be followed (conservative or surgical). We report
a case of extensive involvement of the spine and discuss about the epidemiology of
the disease, its diagnosis, and therapeutic principles.
Keywords
spondylodiscitis - spine - osteomyelitis
