ARTICLE TYPE : CASE REPORT
Published on : 13 Feb 2026, Volume - 2
Journal Title :
WebLog Journal of Infectious Diseases | WebLog J Infect Dis
Source URL: 
https://weblogoa.com/articles/wjid.2026.b1301
Permanent Identifier (DOI) : 
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18795198
Metastatic Salmonella Thoracic Discitis in a 52‑Year‑Old Woman Following Febrile Diarrheal Illness and Mediastinal Lymphadenitis: A Complex Diagnostic Journey Across Two Continents
2Formerly Head, Department of Surgery at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India
3J. Watumull Global Hospital & Research Centre, Delwara Road, Mount Abu, Rajasthan 307501, India
Abstract
A 52‑year‑old woman developed a febrile diarrhoeal illness during a pilgrimage in India, requiring intravenous ceftriaxone. She later experienced persistent dry cough and mediastinal lymphadenitis. Two months after returning to the UK, she developed sudden severe thoracic pain with systemic symptoms. Early investigations and non‑contrast MRI were non‑diagnostic. A focused contrast‑enhanced MRI revealed destructive T8–T9 discitis. CT‑guided biopsy confirmed Salmonella typhi. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of metastatic Salmonella discitis, the limitations of reporting early imaging due to lack of clinical information, non‑contrast study and non‑focused whole spine request, the importance of integrating travel history, evolving symptoms, and targeted investigations.
Keywords: Salmonella Spondylodiscitis; Thoracic Discitis; Travel‑Related Infection; Enteric Fever; Mediastinal Lymphadenitis; Vertebral Osteomyelitis; Contrast‑Enhanced MRI; CT‑Guided Biopsy; Diagnostic Delay; Spinal Infection
Citation
Govani DR, Mehta AR, Midha PK, Govani ND, Panchasara NG, Patel R, et al. Metastatic Salmonella Thoracic Discitis in a 52-Year-Old Woman Following Febrile Diarrheal Illness and Mediastinal Lymphadenitis: A Complex Diagnostic Journey Across Two Continents. WebLog J Infect Dis. wjid.2026.b1301. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18795198