The Role of Radiologic and Scintigraphic Imaging in Differentiating Thoracic Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis from Metastasis

Abstract

Introduction: Physical examination, basic laboratory tests and plain radiographs can give important data in diagnosis of the patients presenting with complaints of back pain. However, advanced imaging tools may be necessary for further evaluation of complicated processes in geriatric patients. Case presentation: We presented plain radiography, magnetic resonance imaging MRI and bone scintigraphy BS findings of thoracic pyogenic spondylodiscitis in a 72-year-old male patient which resembles metastatic disease. Conclusion: Multimodal imaging, particularly MRI and BS can provide useful data in the initial diagnosis and follow-up of geriatric patients with a complicated vertebral pathology. Spondylodiscitis can mimic metastastatic disease.