Spondylodiscitis – casuistry or diagnosis beyond clinical thinking. Three clinical cases with favorable outcomes ‒ recommendation for General Practitioners and Neurologists

General Medicine, 2025, 27(6), 22-26.

N. Grigorov, E. Pashkuleva-Dermendzhieva, P. Moralijska, S. Stratieva, P. Lazarov

Clinic of Internal Medicine, Military Medical Academy ‒ Sofia

Abstract. Spinal Infectious, through rare, have been increasing in frequency in recent years. Spondylodiscitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, whose diagnosis is often delayed due to nonspecific symptoms. We present three clinical cases of patients diagnosed with infectious spondylodiscitis, all with favorable outcomes following conservative treatment. The need for heightened clinical suspicion is emphasized in patients presenting with fever and back pain, especially when accompanied by neurological deficits and elevated inflammatory markers. The focus is placed on the importance of early diagnosis through MRI and an interdisciplinary approach, highlighting the critical role of general practitioners in promptly referring such patients for specialized evaluation.

Key words: clinical cases, spondylodiscitis

Address for correspondence: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nedyalko Grigorov, MD, Sofia 1606, 3 G. Sofiyski Blvd., e-mail: n_grigorov@gbg.bg