Study design: Retrospective clinical and laboratory data analyses were performed on hemodialysis (HD) patients with bacterial spondylodiscitis.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical characteristics and related problems for the diagnosis and treatment of spondylodiscitis in patients on maintenance HD. Possible factors for the development of spondylodiscitis were also discussed.
Summary of background data: Although bacterial spondylodiscitis is one of most serious complications that can occur in HD patients, few reports are seen describing its clinical course and treatment in HD patients.
Methods: A total of 9 HD patients were diagnosed as having bacterial spondylodiscitis at our institute. The onset of infection, characteristics of clinical symptoms, and clinical course were reviewed retrospectively.
Results: Latent form occurrence was most frequent, and only 1 in 9 cases presented high-grade fever at the beginning of treatment. Many complications were encountered both in conservatively treated and operated cases. Three patients were operated on, 1 of whom died 2 days after operation. Two of six patients in the conservatively treated group also died during the treatment period.
Conclusions: The presence of bacterial spondylodiscitis must be considered when treating back pain of HD patients even when they are afebrile. Careful observation of general status in addition to local conditions is essential. Indication of operation should be considered carefully because of the poor general status and bone quality of HD patients. MRI, in addition to plain radiographs, was necessary to differentiate destructive spondylarthropathy from bacterial spondylodiscitis.