Does the MRI confirm the presumed diagnosis of spondylodiscitis?
Yes. The features here support the presumed diagnosis.
What further investigations are required?
The most likely causative agent is Staph. aureus. Blood cultures should be performed. In some cases of resistant infection, a biopsy can be performed by CT guidance. However, this is rarely required.
Pathology here is centered on the L2/L3 disc space. The disc is dehydrated and there is loss of disc-space height. The adjacent superior endplate of L3 is abnormal with high-T2 signal and contrast enhancement.
Features here are of discitis.