In such cases, the combination of reduced disc HU values, increased vertebral body HU values, and elevated inflammatory markers as well as clinical red flags (e.g., CRP, leukocytosis, ESR) [6, 8, 15] may strengthen the clinical suspicion of spondylodiscitis and justify expedited MRI diagnostics, thereby potentially reducing delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation. Here, CRP is linked to Increased total leukocyte count.