title: Spondylodiscitis in patients under haemodyalisis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to reach conclusions about the diagnosis and treatment of a series of patients with spondylodiscitis under haemodialysis treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected and studied 23 patients included in a prospective database from two neighbouring hospitals. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The diagnosis was frequently made very late and early negative cultures were not uncommon; magnetic resonance images allowed for an early diagnosis with accurate anatomical information. Empirical antibiotic treatment with prompt surgery produced good results in patients under risk of, or having neurological problems. Surgical approaches did not differ from pyogenic or tuberculous spondylodiscitis. Age in our series was not a predictive issue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Whenever a patient under haemodialysis has symptoms of spinal disease, particularly back pain with fever, they should undergo an MRI. If diagnosis of spondylodiscitis is made prompt empirical antibiotherapy should be instituted. Blood cultures should be performed and tissue samples taken for cultures; however, culture outcome must not delay therapy. Early surgical decompression leads to good results.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Hospital Costa del Sol, University of Malaga, Marbella, Malaga, Spain. zanda_es@yahoo.es
authors: Ana Maria
authors: AM
authors: Cervan
authors: Juan de Dios
authors: Jde D
authors: Colmenero
authors: Alfonso
authors: A
authors: Del Arco
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Villanueva
authors: Enrique
authors: E
authors: Guerado
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D015299:Discitis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed