IMAGING OF SPONDYLODISCITIS: AN UPDATED COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW—MULTIMODAL IMAGING FEATURES, DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS, AND DETECTION OF SPECIFIC MICROORGANISMS

Spondylodiscitis refers to infectious conditions affecting the vertebral column, and its incidence has steadily increased in recent decades. Imaging plays a crucial role at every stage of the disease. Radiological techniques are essential for (i) the initial diagnosis of spondylodiscitis, (ii) distinguishing it from other causes such as inflammatory, degenerative, or calcific disorders, (iii) assessing disease progression, and (iv) providing indications of the microorganisms involved. The latter can be achieved either through minimally invasive procedures (e.g., CT-guided biopsy) or inferred non-invasively by analyzing the features presented in CT, positron emission tomography (PET) CT, or MRI scans. This comprehensive review aims to outline the multimodal imaging characteristics of spondylodiscitis, serving as a reference for physicians, including infectious disease specialists, spine surgeons, and radiologists. Additionally, this review may offer insights for future research articles.