Spondylodiscitis in two children: case reports and review of the literature

Spondylodiscitis has a higher incidence in children under 3 years of age than other age groups. The onset may be insidious and clinical signs can be mild and unspecific, as well as the laboratory tests, often within the normal range. Hypomobility and pain are the main symptoms, and spine MRI is the gold standard for the diagnosis. The duration and type of treatment are controversial. Treatment with antimicrobial therapy, together with rest and immobilization, has given good results in specific cases, leading to a progressive recovery. The authors report on two patients, in whom no direct infectious pathogen was identified. In these patients, an infectious process following a bacterial or viral infection has been hypothesized, but an autoimmune cause could not be excluded. In both cases, the children had a good outcome.