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.