Surgical treatment of spondylodiscitis in the cervical spine: a minimum 2-year follow-up

Posterior instrumentation, anterior column reconstruction with single posterior approach for treatment of pyogenic osteomyelitis of thoracic and lumbar spine

PURPOSE

Surgical treatment of thoracolumbar osteomyelitis consists of radical debridement, reconstruction of anterior column either with or without posterior stabilization. The objective of present study is to evaluate a case series of patients with osteomyelitis of thoracic and lumbar spine treated by single, posterior approach with posterior instrumentation and anterior column reconstruction.

METHODS

Seventeen patients underwent clinical and radiological evaluation pre and postoperatively with latest follow-up at 19 months (8-56 months) after surgery. Parameters assessed were site of infection, causative organism, angle of deformity, blood loss, duration of surgery, ICU stay, deformity correction, time to solid bony fusion, ambulatory status, neurologic status (ASIA impairment scale), and functional outcome (Kirkaldy-Willis criteria).

RESULTS

Mean operating time was 207 min and average blood loss 1,150 ml. Patients spent 2 (1-4) days in ICU and were able to walk unaided 1.6 (1-2) days after surgery. Infection receded in all 17 patients postoperatively. Solid bony fusion occurred in 15 out of 17 patients (88 %) on average 6.3 months after surgery. Functional outcome was assessed as excellent or good in 82 % of cases. Average deformity correction was 8 (1-18) degrees, with loss of correction of 4 (0-19) degrees at final follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Single, posterior approach addressing both columns poses safe alternative in treatment of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis of thoracic and lumbar spine. It proved to be less invasive resulting in faster postoperative recovery.

Spondylodiscitis: standards of current treatment

BACKGROUND

Spinal infections are an important clinical problem that often require aggressive medical therapy, and sometimes even surgery. Known risk factors are advanced age, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, immunosuppression, alcoholism, long-term steroid use, concomitant infections, poly-trauma, malignant tumor, and previous surgery or invasive procedures (discography, chemonucleolysis, and surgical procedures involving or adjacent to the intervertebral disc space). The most common level of involvement is at the lumbar spine, followed by the thoracic, cervical and sacral levels: lesions at the thoracic spine tend to lead more frequently to neurological symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the current paper is to describe current evidence-based standards of therapy in the management of SD by emphasizing pharmacological therapy and principles and indications for bracing and surgery.

METHODS

A PubMed and Google Scholar search using various forms and combinations of the key words: spondylodiscitis, spine, infection, therapy, surgery, radiology, treatment. Reference citations from publications identified in the literature search were reviewed. Publications highlighted in this article were extracted based on relevancy to established, putative, and emerging diagnostic and therapeutic standards, either conservative (antibiotic therapy and bracing) or surgical.

FINDINGS

To date, conservative therapy, based on targeted antibiotic therapy plus bracing, represents the mainstay in the management of SD. Proper diagnosis and tailored therapy can improve clinical results and decrease the chance of failure. Surgery should be an option only for patients with complications of this disease, namely deformity, neural compression and neurological compromise. Current standards in the setting of SD are continuously evolving, as can be seen in the recent advances in the field of radiological diagnostics, and the use of growth factors and cell-therapy strategies to promote infection eradication and bone healing after surgery.

Posterior interbody grafting and instrumentation for spondylodiscitis

PURPOSE

To report outcomes of 7 patients with bacterial spondylodiscitis treated through a posterior approach.

METHODS

Five men and 2 women aged 40 to 80 years underwent one-stage posterior interbody debridement and instrumentation for single-segment bacterial spondylodiscitis of lumbar (n=5) or thoracic (n=2) vertebrae. The Oswestry Disability Score, the Frankel classification, the Cobb angle, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain as well as bone union on radiographs were assessed.

RESULTS

Patients were followed up for 19 to 36 months. None had relapses or complications. Postoperatively, 5 patients had no pain or used analgesics only occasionally; their VAS scores varied from 0 to 20. The remaining 2 patients had residual symptoms and received regular peripheral pain medication and opiates; their VAS scores ranged from 30 to 50. The mean Oswestry Disability Score improved to 21 (range, 12-38). The mean Cobb angle improved from 13.1 to 11.1 degrees. The segments were probably fused in 5 patients and questionable in 2.

CONCLUSION

Posterior debridement and instrumentation was adequate for single-segment spondylodiscitis and achieved good outcomes.

Surgical treatment of cervical spondylodiscitis: a review of 30 consecutive patients

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective study of 30 consecutive cases of pyogenic cervical spine infection, excluding postoperative infections.

OBJECTIVE

To establish a real incidence of the disease and the risk factors associated with its occurrence. Furthermore, to evaluate the different surgical approaches dealing with this condition as well as the complications associated with the disease itself and with the different lines of treatment undertaken.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Cervical spondylodiscitis is a quite rare finding regarding the common location of spinal abscesses in the lumbar and thoracic regions.

METHODS

Between January 2004 and December 2009, 30 patients suffering from cervical spondylodiscitis underwent surgical debridement and reconstruction in our institution. The mean age at presentation was 64.5 years, and 19 patients were male (63.3%). Clinically, 24 patients (80%) had neck pain. Neurological deficit was found in 12 patients (40%), while septicemia was one of the presenting pictures in 12 patients (40%). Radiologically, epidural abscess was found in 24 patients (80%). Another concomitant noncontiguous discitis in the thoracic and/or lumbar spine was found in 14 patients (47%). All patients in this series underwent surgical debridement followed by antibiotic therapy for 8 to 12 weeks. Mean period of follow-up was 28.4 months.

RESULTS

Healing of the inflammation was the rule. From the 12 patients with neurological deficit, 7 (58%) improved clinically after surgery. Three patients (10%) died postoperatively due to septicemia. Metal failure occurred in 1 patient in whom corpectomy, grafting, and ventral plating were performed. Esophagus perforation occurred in 1 patient with history of cancer pharynx and total neck dissection.

CONCLUSION

Radical surgical debridement and appropriate antibiotic provide a reliable approach to achieve complete healing of the inflammation in cervical spondylodiscitis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the whole spine is recommended in all cases so as not to miss another infection in the spinal column. Regarding the surgical options, ventral plating after corpectomy for spondylodiscitis should be avoided.

Treatment of spondylodiscitis

PURPOSE

Pyogenic infections of the spine are relatively rare with an incidence between 1:100,000 and 1:250,000 per year, but the incidence is increasing due to increases in average life-expectancy, risk factors, and medical comorbidities. The mean time in hospital varies from 30 to 57 days and the hospital mortality is reported to be 2-17%. This article presents the relevant literature and our experience of conservative and surgical treatment of pyogenic spondylodiscitis.

METHOD

We have performed a review of the relevant literature and report the results of our own research in the diagnosis and treatment of pyogenic spondylodiscitis. We present a sequential algorithm for identification of the pathogen with blood cultures, CT-guided biopsies and intraoperative tissue samples. Basic treatment principles and indications for surgery and our surgical strategies are discussed.

RESULTS

Recent efforts have been directed toward early mobilisation of patients using primary stable surgical techniques that lead to a further reduction of the mortality. Currently our hospital mortality in patients with spondylodiscitis is around 2%. With modern surgical and antibiotic treatment, a relapse of spondylodiscitis is unlikely to occur. In literature the relapse rate of 0-7% has been recorded. Overall the quality of life seems to be more favourable in patients following surgical treatment of spondylodiscitis.

CONCLUSION

With close clinical and radiological monitoring of patients with spondylodiscitis, conservative and surgical therapies have become more successful. When indicated, surgical stabilisation of the infected segments is mandatory for control of the disease and immediate mobilisation of the patients.

Percutaneous discectomy and drainage for postoperative intervertebral discitis

BACKGROUND

Postoperative intervertebral discitis occurs following spinal surgery. This study was done to evaluate the effect of percutaneous discectomy and drainage (PDD) for postoperative intervertebral discitis.

METHODS

A retrospective study of postoperative intervertebral discitis treated by PDD procedures was conducted from January 1997 to June 2006. There were 34 patients (24 males, 10 females); 10 cases of after lumbar discectomy (L3-4 in 3 patients, L4-5 in 7 patients), 21 cases of after percutaneous lumbar discectomy (L3-4 in 7 patients, L4-5 in 14 patient), 2 cases of after percutaneous cervical discectomy (C5-6 in 1 patient, C6-7 in 1 patient), and 1 case of C5-6 after percutaneous cervical nucleoplasty.

RESULTS

All patients tolerated the procedure well and there were 31 cases had followed up. VAS scores demonstrated statistically significant improvement after PDD when compared with preoperational values (P < 0.01). Elevated CRP and ESR values returned to normal range within 3-8 weeks. CRP and ESR values demonstrated statistically significant improvement after PDD when compared with preoperative values (P < 0.01). Biopsies of the disc were performed in all patients and pus was seen in 17 patients at the pathology levels. Inflammatory cells were observed nine cases (4 cases showed infiltration of lymphocytes and plasmacytes, 5 cases showed infiltrate of polymorphonuclear leucocytes). Cultures of disc and bone tissue showed 17 cases of sterile and 14 had positive culture. Spine X-rays films showed narrowed disc space in 29 cases, and bridging osteophytes were noted in 19 patients. Destructive and sclerotic changes of vertebral bodies with narrowing of disc spaces were observed in 14 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that PDD is a minimally invasive procedure for obtaining sufficient biopsy material for histological analysis and culture in cases of discitis, and has a good clinical outcome recommended for patients with early stage postoperative intervertebral discitis without neurologic deficit.

Complex 360°-reconstruction and stabilization of the cervical spine due to osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis of the cervical spine may lead to profound bony destruction. The presented case developed multilevel osteomyelitic destruction of the cervical spine after decompression due to cervical myelopathy. He could be cured by a multiple-stage procedure: step one: debridement and removal of all anterior implants with vacuum-assisted closure combined with dorsal instrumentation from C0 to T3; step two: anterior reconstruction with expandable titanium cages and plate. The patient regained walking with the aid of a walking frame. The following recommendations are given: multiple stage procedure, extensive debridement and stabilization via an anterior and posterior approach, use of titanium implants.

Safety of instrumentation in patients with spinal infection

OBJECT

Treatment of spine infection remains a challenge for spine surgeons, with the most effective method still being a matter of debate. Most surgeons agree that in early stages of infection, antibiotic treatment should be pursued; under certain circumstances, however, surgery is recommended. The goals of surgery include radical debridement of the infective focus. In some cases, when surgery causes mechanical spinal instability, the question arises whether the risk of recurrent infection outweighs the benefits of spinal instrumentation and stabilization. The authors report their series of cases in which instrumentation was placed in actively infected sites and review the relevant literature.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective analysis of all cases of spinal infection that were surgically treated with debridement and placement of instrumentation at their institution between 2000 and 2006. Patient presentation, risk factor, infective organism, surgical indication, level of involvement, type of procedure, and ultimate outcome were reviewed. Improved outcome was based on improvement of initial American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Score.

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients (32 men, 15 women) were treated with instrumented surgery for spinal infection. Their average age at presentation was 54 years (range 37-78 years). Indications for placement of instrumentation included instability, pain after failure of conservative therapy, or both. Patients underwent surgery within an average of 12 days (range 1 day to 5 months) after their presentation to the authors' institution. The average length of hospital stay was 25 days (range 9-78 days). Follow-up averaged 22 months (range 1-80 months). Eight patients died; causes of death included sepsis (4 patients), cardiac arrest (2), and malignancy (2). Only 3 patients were lost to follow-up. Using American Spinal Injury Association scoring as the criterion, the patients' conditions improved in 34 cases and remained the same in 5. Complications included hematoma (2 cases), the need for hardware revision (1), and recurrent infection (2). Hardware replacement was required in 1 of the 2 patients with recurrent infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Instrumentation of the spine is safe and has an important role in stabilization of the infected spine. Despite the presence of active infection, we believe that instrumentation after radical debridement will not increase the risk of recurrent infection. In fact, greater benefit can be achieved through spinal stabilization, which can even promote accelerated healing.

PEEK cages as a potential alternative in the treatment of cervical spondylodiscitis: a preliminary report on a patient series

The surgical management of cervical spondylodiscitis consists of the resection of the affected disc, the decompression of the cervical spinal cord, followed by the stabilization using an autologous bone graft or a titanium implant combined with a ventral plate fixation. Until now, there were no studies about the practicability and putative safety of PEEK cages in cervical spine infection. Now, we present the history of five patients suffering from neurological deficits and septicemia caused by mono- or bisegmental pyogenic cervical discitis and intraspinal abscess without severe bone destruction. Patients were treated surgically by discectomy, decompression, and ventral spondylodesis. The disc was replaced by a PEEK cage without additional fixation. Progressive bony fusion and complete regression of the inflammatory changes was demonstrated 7-8 months later by a computer assisted tomography and contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. The vertebral alignment changed minimally; the cages developed only a slight average subsidence. The clinical symptoms improved in all patients significantly. Neck pain or instability was never observed. Nevertheless, prospective investigations of a larger patient series are mandatory. We suppose that the use of PEEK cages represents a potential and safe alternative in the treatment of cervical spondylodiscitis in selected patients.

Epidural abscess associated with pyogenic spondylodiscitis of the lumbar spine; evaluation of a new MRI staging classification and imaging findings as indicators of surgical management: a retrospective study of 37 patients

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to review the patients with lumbar epidural abscess in terms of neurological morbidity, therapeutic outcome, and prognosis, while assessing the usefulness of a new MRI staging classification and specific imaging findings as indicators for surgical management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed 37 patients who sustained epidural abscess associated with pyogenic spondylodiscitis of the lumbar spine. Ten patients were treated conservatively, while 27 required urgent or elective surgical drainage. We studied patients with respect to symptomatology, Frankel-American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale evaluation and a new proposed system of MRI staging of pyogenic spondylodiscitis (stages I–V).

RESULTS

Of the 37 patients with stage IV and V MRI lesions, 13 (35%) had septicemia and 8 (22%) presented with Frankel-ASIA scale C-D neurological status. All cases with ringlike enhancement on gadolinium-enhanced MRI in the epidural abscess lesions were treated surgically. Progression of local kyphosis and loss of intervertebral disk height were significantly prevented in the surgical group (P < 0.05). Improvements of neurological status and laboratory data were better in the surgical group than the conservative group (P < 0.05), with significantly short hospital stay (P < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

Epidural abscess associated with pyogenic spondylodiscitis presents with various neurological symptoms. In addition to assessment of progression by clinical symptomatology, modified neurological Frankel-ASIA scaling and the currently proposed MRI staging regimen may help to consider the timing of surgical intervention. In the acute, subacute or acute-on-chronic phase and the ringlike enhancement pattern of epidural abscess on gadolinium-enhanced MRI may be an indicator for surgery.

Fatal outcome after insufficient spine fixation for pyogenic thoracic spondylodiscitis: an imperative for 360 degrees fusion of the infected spine

Background

Pyogenic spondylodiscitis represents a potentially life-threatening condition. Due to the low incidence, evidence-based surgical recommendations in the literature are equivocal, and the treatment modalities remain controversial.

Case presentation

A 59 year-old patient presented with a history of thoracic spondylodiscitis resistant to antibiotic treatment for 6 weeks, progressive severe back pain, and a new onset of bilateral lower extremity weakness. Clinically, the patient showed a deteriorating spastic paraparesis of her lower extremities. An emergent MRI revealed a kyphotic wedge compression fracture at T7/T8 with significant spinal cord compression, paravertebral and epidural abscess, and signs of myelopathy. The patient underwent surgical debridement with stabilization of the anterior column from T6–T9 using an expandable titanium cage, autologous bone graft, and an anterolateral locking plate. The patient recovered well under adjunctive antibiotic treatment. She presented again to the emergency department 6 months later, secondary to a repeat fall, with acute paraplegia of the lower extremities and radiographic evidence of failure of fixation of the anterior T-spine. She underwent antero-posterior revision fixation with hardware removal, correction of kyphotic malunion, evacuation of a recurrent epidural abscess, decompression of the spinal canal, and 360° fusion from T2–T11. Despite the successful salvage procedure, the patient deteriorated in the postoperative phase, when she developed multiple complications including pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, bacterial meningitis, abdominal compartment syndrome, followed by septic shock with multiple organ failure and a lethal outcome within two weeks after revision surgery.

Conclusion

This catastrophic example of a lethal outcome secondary to failure of anterior column fixation for pyogenic thoracic spondylodiscitis underlines the notion that surgical strategies for the infected spine must be aimed at achieving absolute stability by a 360° fusion. This aggressive – albeit controversial – concept allows for an adequate infection control by adjunctive antibiotics and reduces the imminent risk of a secondary loss of fixation due to compromises in initial fixation techniques.

Successful treatment of spondylodiscitis using titanium cages: a 3-year follow-up of 22 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The use of metal implants in large defects caused by spinal infection to support the anterior column is controversial, and relatively few results have been published to date. Despite the fact that there is bacterial adhesion to metal implants, the strong immunity of the highly vascularized spine because of rich muscle covering is unique. This possibly allows the use of metal implants, which have the advantage of high stability and reduced loss of correction. This is a retrospective study of patients with spondylodiscitis treated with metal implants.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the outcome in 22 consecutive patients (mean age 69 (43-82) years, 15 men) with spondylodiscitis (20 lumbar and 12 thoracic discs) who had received an anterior titanium cage implantation. In 13 cases, the pathogen could be identified. Antibiotic treatment was continued for at least 12 weeks postoperatively.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up was 36 (32-47) months. Healing of inflammation was confirmed by clinical, radiographic, and laboratory parameters. The mean VAS improved from 9.1 (6-10) preoperatively to 2.6 (0-6) at the final follow-up, and the mean Oswestry disability index was 17 (0-76) at the final follow-up.

INTERPRETATION

Our findings highlight the high healing rate and stability when titanium implants are used. Prerequisites are a radical debridement, correction of deformity, and additional bony fusion by bone grafting. The increased stability, with facilitated patient mobilization, and the relatively little loss of correction using anterior and posterior implants are of considerable advantage in the treatment of the patients with multiple co-morbidities.

Reconstruction of large defects in vertebral osteomyelitis with expandable titanium cages

The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcome of expandable titanium cage implantation in large defects caused by acute vertebral osteomyelitis. Twenty-five patients with acute single or multilevel spondylodiscitis were treated after radical débridement and posterior instrumentation with an anterior expandable titanium cage and bone grafting. Clinical, laboratory and radiological follow-up continued for 36 months. Within the postoperative course there was no recurrence of spinal infection. The final radiological examination showed successful fusion in all cases without implant loosening or failure. At the final follow-up after 36 months the Oswestry Disability Index was 23 +/- 14 and the pain visual analogue scale 2.1 +/- 1.7. This study reveals healing and improved function after expandable titanium cage implantation in all patients. Prerequisites for optimal healing include radical débridement, provision of stability for weight-bearing, adequate bone grafting and correction of deformity using rigid implants.

Current diagnosis and treatment of spondylodiscitis

INTRODUCTION

Infection of the spinal column is rare, and often recognized and treated too late. Spondylodiscitis is osteomyelitis of the spine and can cause severe symptoms. Hospital mortality is in the region of 2% to 17%.

METHODS

Selective literature review and results of the authors' own research.

RESULTS

The incidence of pyogenic spondylodiscitis is around 1 : 250 000, which represents around 3% to 5% of osteomyelitis as a whole. 10% to 15% of all vertebral infections can be ascribed to exogenous spondylodiscitis, with Staphylococcus aureus as the commonest pathogen, 2% to 16% of which are reported to be MRSA (methicillin-resistant S. aureus). Catheter-related, nosocomial infection with MRSA is a key cause for spondylodiscitis. 50% of all skeletal tuberculoses are found in the spine.

DISCUSSION

Spondylodiscitis should be borne in mind in cases of diffuse back pain and non-specific symptoms. MRI is the diagnostic modality of choice for detecting spondylodiscitis. Thanks to precise monitoring of conservative treatments and primarily stable surgical techniques, prolonged immobilization of the patient is no longer necessary nowadays.