Fungal thoracic spondylodiskitis in an immunocompetent 14-year-old girl

Abstract

Fungal spondylodiskitis (inflammation of intervertebral disk tissue and adjacent vertebrae) is rare, particularly in immunocompetent patients. Here, we report a case of fungal and bacterial thoracic spondylodiskitis in a 14-year-old girl with abdominal and back pain. The spondylodiskitis was diagnosed on the basis of the presence of β-D glucan and the unusual clinical course, although cultures for fungus were negative. We conclude spondylodiskitis must be considered in cases of abdominal pain without clear etiology and in cases of fungal infection with unexplainable findings after standard treatment for bacterial infection, even when fungal cultures are negative.