The objective of the present study is to analyse the clinical, microbiological, and therapeutic features of patients with infective spondylodiscitis (ISD), who were followed up in our Outpatient Bone Infection Clinic.

We retrospectively studied the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of all patients diagnosed with ISD from January 1998 to December 2006. Data were extracted from an electronic data base registry and patients’ files.

Sixty patients either with spontaneous (n= 42, 70%) or postoperative (n= 18, 30%) ISD were evaluated. Population mean age was 56 years, 33 (55%) were male and 27 (45%) were female. The infection was localised in the lumbar (78%), thoracic (18%) or cervical (4%) spine. Predominate symptoms were pain (87%) and fever (50%). Fistula was observed exclusively in postoperative ISD (45%). In spontaneous ISD, the major causes were Brucella spp (33%), gram positive cocci (12%), gram negative bacteria (14%), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (7%), while in 33% of cases no pathogen was detected. In postoperative episodes of ISD the major causes were gram positive cocci (45%), gram negative bacteria (30%) and polymicrobial infection was documented in 22% of cases while in 25% of cases no pathogen was detected. Based on clinical, laboratory and imaging (especially MRI) data, treatment was individualised. Most patients (88%) received a combined antimicrobial treatment. Patients with spontaneous pyogenic/brucellosis or tuberculous/post-operative ISD received treatment for a median duration of 8/12/10 months and the response rate was 84%/81%/55.5%, respectively. Surgery was necessary in 40% of postoperative ISD cases for healing, while only one spontaneous case required a surgical intervention.

ISD is more frequently localised at the lumbar level. Long term combination antimicrobial treatment may be essential. Surgery may be required in iatrogenic cases in the presence of foreign bodies.