Pyogenic and Tubercular Spondylodiscitis – Editorial

E. Pola, M. Fantoni

Division of Spinal Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, and *Institute of Infectious Diseases; School of Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy

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• Orthopedics

Spondylodiscitis is a severe and dreaded disease. In western countries, increasing incidence of both pyogenic and tubercular forms has been reported in last years. Diagnosis is often delayed or missed due to relative low incidence of the disease and the high frequency of low back pain in general population. A high index of suspicion is required for clinicians and surgeons to make a correct and rapid diagnosis so to prevent potentially devastating complications of late stages of the disease. In this special issue of the Journal the Authors summarize relevant literature and clinical data regarding pyogenic and tubercular spine infections. Radiological, clinical and microbiological aspects are accurately summarized in separate manuscripts by Authors with recognized expertise in their specific fields of interest. Pharmacological therapies and surgical interventions are thoroughly presented. All possible therapeutic strategies are discussed and current treatment standards are explained. Moreover, a whole paper is dedicated to the importance and role of the biopsy for diagnosis of vertebral infections, a frequently neglected issue. For the first time a whole special issue of the Journal is dedicated to presenting all multidisciplinary aspects of this severe disorder. It is the Editor and Authors’ hope to provide physicians with all information and protocols needed to successfully diagnose and treat pyogenic and tubercular spondylodiscitis.

Published on: 2012/10/17