Spondylodiscitis and infective endocarditis: case studies and review of the literature.

STUDY DESIGN

This study evaluated the association between infective endocarditis and infective spondylodiscitis and its clinical features.

OBJECTIVES

To report case studies of patients with spondylodiscitis complicating infective endocarditis.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Early diagnosis of infective endocarditis as the source of the spondylodiscitis is often difficult because clinical and radiologic patterns are similar to those present in spondylodiscitis alone.

METHODS

The case records of the patients with infective endocarditis admitted to our Department from 1991-1998 were reviewed. The diagnosis of spondylodiscitis was made on the basis of clinical features and of typical radiologic signs.

RESULTS

Among 30 patients affected by infective endocarditis, three also were affected by spondylodiscitis. All patients fully recovered after appropriate antibiotic therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

In all patients with spondylodiscitis, infective endocarditis should be excluded, particularly in patients with a history of heart valve disease.