Salmonella Spondylodiscitis in the Immunocompetent

Abstract

Salmonella and tuberculous spondylitis must be differentiated as they both have similar epidemiological and clinicoradiologic presentations. Prodromal gastrointestinal symptoms are usually not present. The diagnosis rests largely on the recovery of the organism by appropriate culture techniques. However, when this is not apparent the Widal test, in the setting of a suggestive history and radiograph, may be used as a diagnosis tool. Though antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment, surgical debridement with the use of instrumentation may be indicated in selected patients.