Discitis

Discitis is an infection or inflammation of the intervertebral disc space that affects different age groups. It is a relatively rare condition, which can lead to severe pain and other complications if not treated promptly.

Causes

Discitis can be caused by a variety of factors, including bacterial infection, viral infection, and autoimmune disease. The most common cause is bacterial infection, often following a surgery or injury to the disc space. The bacteria can enter the disc space through the bloodstream or from a nearby infection.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of discitis is severe pain in the affected area. The pain is often worse when the patient is moving or putting pressure on the spine. Other symptoms can include fever, chills, and general discomfort or malaise.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of discitis is often challenging due to its rare occurrence and non-specific symptoms. It typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and imaging tests such as MRI or CT scan. In some cases, a biopsy of the disc space may be required to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment for discitis typically involves antibiotics to treat the infection, along with pain management to relieve the symptoms. In severe cases, surgery may be required to remove the infected disc and stabilize the spine.

Prognosis

With prompt and appropriate treatment, most patients with discitis can recover fully. However, if left untreated, discitis can lead to serious complications such as spinal abscess, bone infection, and spinal deformity.

See also

• Spinal infection
• Osteomyelitis
• Spondylitis

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