[Tuberculosis spondylodiscitis in three older patients].

Three patients, two women aged 78 and 70 years, respectively, and a man aged 71 years, had back pain for months. Fever was absent. Blood parameters of infection were slightly or highly elevated. The diagnosis of spondylodiscitis was confirmed by MRI in all three patients. In one patient tuberculosis was confirmed by culture. One patient was from Turkey and the other two patients had been exposed professionally to tuberculosis. On two occasions, spondylodiscitis was complicated by compression of the spinal cord, and surgical intervention was necessary on one occasion because of neurological deficit. Initial treatment consisted of long-term bed rest and antituberculous therapy. All three patients recovered successfully. Tuberculous spondylodiscitis is a rare cause of back pain, but should be included in the differential diagnosis, particularly if there is an increased risk based on the medical history or if the patient comes from an endemic region or has an increased risk due to his or her profession.