Clinical profile of patients with Non-Tuberculous spondylodicitis: A retroprospective comparative study

Abstract

Pyogenic spondylodiscitis (PS) is more common in patients aged over 50 years and it represents only 1-2% of bone infectionsin pediatric age. The incidence has been rising through the combined effect of an increase in the susceptible population (immunosuppressed and ageing population), intravenous drug use, rise in healthcare-associated infection, spinal surgery and improved ascertainment, due to better diagnosis. Of 173 patients, 15 patients with incomplete follow-up, incomplete radiographic data and 7 patients with inconclusive etiological diagnosis were also excluded. The remaining 151 patients formed the basis of the study. Mean duration of symptoms was 6 weeks in NTS and 14 weeks in TS. Back ache is the most common clinical feature seen in all patients (100%). Fever in NTS (71.1%) and deformity in TS (34.3%) were 2nd most common clinical features respectively. Neurological deficits and symptoms (radiculopathy/parasthesias) were present in 30.3% of TS and 21.1% of NTS.