Cervical spondylodiscitis – A clinical analysis of surgically treated patients and review of the literature

Clinical and surgical outcome in patients with cervical spondylodiscitis-a single-center retrospective case series of 24 patients

Objective

Cervical spondylodiscitis is a rare pathology, with an incidence of 0.5-2.5 per 100,000 population, posing significant potential risks. This type of infection can lead to neurological impairment in up to 29% of patients. Radical surgical debridement of the infected segment, fusion, and an intravenous antibiotic regimen remains the gold standard in most spine centers. This study aimed to analyze the surgical outcome in a tertiary spine center based on disease severity.

Methods

In this study, we retrospectively included all patients diagnosed with cervical spondylodiscitis and treated at the University Hospital Augsburg between January 2017 and May 2022. We collected and analyzed baseline parameters on clinical presentation with symptoms, laboratory parameters, radiological appearance, and surgical parameters such as type of approach and implant, as well as neurological and radiological outcomes. Descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS, and relevant correlations were examined using the t-test for independent samples and the chi-square test.

Results

Twenty-four patients (9%) with cervical spondylodiscitis were identified. Twenty-two (92%) surgically treated patients were subdivided into the complicated discitis group (n = 14, 64%) and the uncomplicated discitis group (n = 8, 36%). Seventeen patients (71%) presented with sepsis on admission, 17 patients (71%) were diagnosed with epidural abscess on primary imaging, and 5 patients (21%) had more than one discitis lesion at a distant spinal segment. The presence of epidural abscess was significantly associated with systemic sepsis (OR = 6.2; p = 0.03) and myelopathy symptoms (OR = 14.4; p = 0.00). The most frequently detected specimen was a multisensitive Staphylococcus aureus (10 patients, 42%). Six patients (25%) died after a median of 20 days despite antibiogram-accurate therapy, five of whom were diagnosed with a complicated type of discitis. The follow-up data of 15 patients (63%) revealed permanent neurological damage in 9 patients (38%). Notably, the surgical approach was a significant factor for revision surgery (p = 0.008), as three out of five (60%) ventrodorsal cases with complicated discitis were revised.

Conclusion

Cervical spondylodiscitis represents a severe infectious disease that is often associated with permanent neurological damage or a fatal outcome, despite adequate surgical and antibiotic treatments. Complicated types of discitis may require a more challenging surgical and clinical course.

Cervical spine spondylodiscitis: Review of literature on current treatment strategies

Infections of the spine are an ever-increasing health concern requiring an often complex and prolonged treatment that can lead to significant morbidity. Of particular interest is the cervical spine where there is an increase rate of post-infectious deformity, secondary neurological deficits and substantially higher rates of associated morbidity and mortality than the thoracic or lumbar spine. In this review, we explore the diagnosis and treatment of spondylodiscitis with particular focus on the cervical spine.

Chronological Analysis of Primary Cervical Spine Infection: A Single-Center Analysis of 59 Patients over Three Decades (1992–2018)

Primary cervical spine infections progress quickly and cause neurological impairment at an early stage. Despite their clinical significance, few studies have investigated primary cervical spine infections, owing to the rarity of the condition. This study analyzed the characteristics of 59 patients treated for primary cervical spine infections between 1992 and 2018 at our hospital. Clinical and radiological analyses were conducted. Moreover, a comparative analysis was performed, incorporating each patient’s underlying disease, mortality and complications, and treatment results. Comparison between groups based on the chronological period (1992–2000, 2001–2009, and 2010–2018) revealed that the mean age of onset has increased significantly in recent years. The rate of neurological impairment, duration of antibiotic use, and frequency of underlying disease increased significantly with time. No significant differences among groups were observed in the hematological and microbiological analyses. The incidence rate of epidural abscess and multisegmental infection increased significantly in recent years. There was no statistically significant difference in the complication and mortality rates, according to the time period. We think that prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are necessary, considering the current trends in primary cervical spine infection.

PMMA-Cement-PLIF Is Safe and Effective as a Single-Stage Posterior Procedure in Treating Pyogenic Erosive Lumbar Spondylodiscitis—A Single-Center Retrospective Study of 73 Cases

Background: Surgical treatment for erosive pyogenic spondylodiscitis of the lumbar spine is challenging as, following debridement of the intervertebral and bony abscess, a large and irregular defect is created. Sufficient defect reconstruction with conventional implants using a posterior approach is often impossible. Therefore, we developed the “Cement-PLIF”, a single-stage posterior lumbar procedure, combining posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with defect-filling using antibiotic-loaded polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). This study first describes and evaluates the procedure’s efficacy, safety, and infection eradication rate. Radiological implant stability, bone-regeneration, sagittal profile reconstruction, procedure-related complications, and pre-existing comorbidities were further analyzed. Methods: A retrospective cohort study analyzing 73 consecutive patients with a minimum of a one-year follow-up from 2000–2017. Patient-reported pain levels and improvement in infectious serological parameters evaluated the clinical outcome. Sagittal profile reconstruction, anterior bone-regeneration, and posterior fusion were analyzed in a.p. and lateral radiographs. A Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to determine the impact of pre-existing comorbidities on mortality. Pre-existing comorbidities were quantified using the Charlson-Comorbidity Index (CCI). Results: Mean follow-up was 3.3 (range: 1–16; ±3.2) years. There was no evidence of infection persistence in all patients at the one-year follow-up. One patient underwent revision surgery for early local infection recurrence (1.4%). Five (6.9%) patients required an early secondary intervention at the same level due to minor complications. Radiological follow-up revealed implant stability in 70/73 (95.9%) cases. Successful sagittal reconstruction was demonstrated in all patients (p < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between Kaplan–Meier survival and the number of pre-existing comorbidities (24-months-survival: CCI ≤ 3: 100%; CCI ≥ 3: 84.6%; p = 0.005). Conclusions: The Cement-PLIF procedure for pyogenic erosive spondylodiscitis is an effective and safe treatment as evaluated by infection elimination, clinical outcome, restoration, and maintenance of stability and sagittal alignment.

Severity and Outcome of Neurologic Deficits in Patients with Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis: A Systematic Review

Patients with advanced pyogenic spondylodiscitis can present with neurologic deficits. However, the prevalence, severity, and outcome of the neurologic deficits are not well known. A systematic review was performed to improve the knowledge of this commonly encountered clinical scenario. The considerable number of severe neurologic deficits in addition to their poor recovery, even after surgical intervention, demonstrates that the early diagnosis of pyogenic spondylodiscitis is crucial. Prompt surgical intervention is likely associated with a greater chance of improvement of neurologic status than nonsurgical treatment.

An Independent Validation of the Brighton Spondylodiscitis Score and a Proposal to Modify the Score

INTRODUCTION

The Brighton Spondylodiscitis Score (BSS) aims to identify patients with pyogenic spinal infections (PSIs) requiring surgery; an independent assessment of the BSS is required.

METHODS

We evaluated 60 patients with PSIs. Using the BSS, we determined whether patients with low, moderate, and high risk (LMHR) had different rates of surgery. We proposed a modified score (MS) using a logistic regression (LOGR). Applying the MS, we determined whether patients with LMHR exhibited different rates of surgery. Another LOGR determined the association of the BSS and the MS with surgery. A C-statistic using the BSS and the MS was generated.

RESULTS

We studied 60 patients (mean age = 63 years); 37 (62%) were men; 30 (50%) required surgery. Using the BSS, patients with LMHR had similar rates of surgery (P = 0.53). LOGR showed that cervical PSIs had a larger chance of surgery (odds ratio [OR] = 7.3 [1.1 to 51.3]) than other locations. Using the MS, patients with moderate- and high-risk were operated more frequently than low-risk patients (P = 0.04). The BSS did not predict surgery (OR = 1.07; P = 0.31), but the MS did (OR = 1.16; P = 0.02). The C-statistic using the BSS (0.59) improved using the MS (0.69), P = 0.03.

DISCUSSION

The discriminatory capacity to predict surgery of the BSS augmented using the MS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II (Diagnostic study: Transverse study).

Early versus Delayed Surgery for Spinal Epidural Abscess : Clinical Outcome and Health-Related Quality of Life

Objective

Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a severe and life-threatening disease. Although commonly performed, the effect of timing in surgical treatment on patient outcome is still unclear. With this study, we aim to provide evidence for early surgical treatment in patients with SEA.

Methods

Patients treated for SEA in the authors’ department between 2007 and 2016 were included for analysis and retrospectively analyzed for basic clinical parameters and outcome. Pre- and postoperative neurological status were assessed using the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS). The self-reported quality of life (QOL) based on the Short-Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36) was assessed prospectively. Surgery was defined as “early”, when performed within 12 hours after admission and “late” when performed thereafter. Conservative therapy was preferred and recommend in patients without neurological deficits and in patients denying surgical intervention.

Results

One hundred and twenty-three patients were included in this study. Forty-nine patients (39.8%) underwent early, 47 patients (38.2%) delayed surgery and 27 (21.9%) conservative therapy. No significant differences were observed regarding mean age, sex, diabetes, prior history of spinal infection, and bony destruction. Patients undergoing early surgery revealed a significant better clinical outcome before discharge than patients undergoing late surgery (p=0.001) and conservative therapy. QOL based on SF-36 were significantly better in the early surgery cohort in two of four physical items (physical functioning and bodily pain) and in one of four psychological items (role limitation) after a mean follow-up period of 58 months. Readmission to the hospital and failure of conservative therapy were observed more often in patients undergoing conservative therapy.

Conclusion

Our data on both clinical outcome and QOL provide evidence for early surgery within 12 hours after admission in patients with SEA.

Anterior cervical spine surgery for the treatment of subaxial cervical spondylodiscitis: a report of 30 consecutive patients

OBJECTIVE

Infection of the cervical spine is a rare disease but is associated with significant risk of neurological deterioration, morbidity, and a poor response to nonsurgical management. The ideal treatment for cervical spondylodiscitis (CSD) remains unclear.

METHODS

Hospital records of patients who underwent acute surgical management for CSD were reviewed. Information about preoperative neurological status, surgical treatment, peri- and postoperative processes, antibiotic treatment, repeated procedure, and neurological status at follow-up examination were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 30 consecutive patients (17 male and 13 female) were included in this retrospective study. The mean age at procedures was 68.1 years (range 50–82 years), with mean of 6 coexisting comorbidities. Preoperatively neck pain was noted in 21 patients (70.0%), arm pain in 12 (40.0%), a paresis in 12 (40.0%), sensory deficit in 8 (26.7%), tetraparesis in 6 (20%), a septicemia in 4 (13.3%). Preoperative MRI scan revealed a CSD in one-level fusion in 21 patients (70.0%), in two-level fusions in 7 patients (23.3%), and in three-level fusions in 2 patients (6.7%). In 16 patients an antibiotic treatment was initiated prior to surgical treatment. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with cervical plating (ACDF+CP) was performed in 17 patients and anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) in 12 patients. Additional posterior decompression was performed in one case of ACDF+CP and additional posterior fixation in ten cases of ACCF procedures. Three patients died due to multiple organ failure (10%). Revision surgery was performed in 6 patients (20.7%) within the first 2 weeks postoperatively. All patients received antibiotic treatment for 6 weeks. At the first follow-up (mean 3 month) no recurrent infection was detected on blood workup and MRI scans. At final follow-up (mean 18 month), all patients reported improvement of neck pain, all but one patients were free of radicular pain and had no sensory deficits, and all patients showed improvement of motor strength. One patient with preoperative tetraparesis was able to ambulate.

CONCLUSIONS

CSD is a disease that is associated with severe neurological deterioration. Anterior cervical surgery with radical debridement and appropriate antibiotic treatment achieves complete healing. Anterior cervical plating with the use of polyetheretherketone cages has no negative effect of the healing process. Posterior fixation is recommended following ACCF procedures.

Factors related to post surgical neurologic improvement for cervical spine infection

BACKGROUND

Cervical spine infections are uncommon but potentially dangerous, having the highest rate of neurological compromise and resulting disability. However, the factors related to surgical success is multiple yet unclear.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 27 patients (16 men and 11 women) with cervical spine infection who underwent surgical treatment at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou branch, between 2001 and 2014. The neurological status, by Frankel classification, was recorded preoperatively and at discharge. Group X had neurologic improvement of at least 1 grade, group Y had unchanged neurologic status, and group Z showed deterioration. We recorded the patient demographic data, presenting symptoms and signs, interval from admission to surgery, surgical procedure, laboratory data, perioperative antibiotic course, pathogens identified, coexisting medical disease, concomitant nonspinal infection, and clinical outcomes. We intended to evaluate the different characteristics of patients who improved neurologically after treatment.

RESULTS

The mean age of our cohort was 56.6 years. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion was the most commonly performed surgical procedure (74.1%). The Frankel neurological status improved in 70.4% (group X, n = 19) and unchanged in 29.6% (group Y, n = 8). No patients worsened. Motor weakness was most common (96.3%) neurological deficit, followed by sensory abnormalities (37.0%), and bowel/urine incontinence (33.3%). The main difference in presentation between group X and group Y was neck pain (100% vs. 75.0%; p = .02), not fever. Group X had a shorter preoperative antibiotic course (p = .004), interval from admission to operation (p = .02), and hospital stay (p = .01).

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should be more suspicious in patients who present with neck pain and any neurological involvement even in those without fever while establishing early diagnosis. Earlier operative treatment in group X result in better neurologic recovery and shorter hospital stay due to disease improvement.

Cervical Spine Osteomyelitis: A Systematic Review of Instrumented Fusion in the Modern Era

OBJECTIVE

For cases of cervical osteomyelitis that require surgery, concern has continued regarding instrumentation owing to the potential for bacterial seeding of the hardware. We performed a systematic review of the current data.

METHODS

A search was performed using Medline, Embase, and Ovid for articles using the keywords "cervical osteomyelitis/spondylodiscitis" and "fusion" or "instrumentation" reported from 1980 to 2017. Prospective or retrospective studies describing ≥2 patients with cervical osteomyelitis were included in the analysis; non-English reports were excluded. Individual patients were excluded from the final analysis if they had previously undergone spinal instrumentation.

RESULTS

A total of 239 patients from 24 studies met our criteria. Surgical approaches were classified as anterior-only, combined anteroposterior, and posterior-only for 64.8%, 31.9%, and 3.3% of the patients respectively. Of the patients treated using an anterior-only approach, 76.5% had received anterior plating and 85.3%, a cage or spacer implants. Of the patients who had undergone combined approaches, 85.1% underwent circumferential fixation and 14.9%, anterior debridement with posterior instrumentation. The follow-up period ranged from 6 weeks to 11 years (mean, 31.0 months). All the studies reporting the fusion rates, except for 1, reported a 100% fusion rate. The reported rates of pain improvement and neurologic recovery were favorable. The incidence of hardware failure and wound complications was 4.6% and 4.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite placing instrumentation during active infection, the rates of hardware failure and wound complications were comparable to those of elective cervical spine procedures. These results suggest that surgical intervention with instrumentation is a safe treatment option for patients with cervical spine osteomyelitis.

Cervical Spondylodiscitis: Presentation, Timing, and Surgical Management in 59 Patients

BACKGROUND

Cervical spondylodiscitis is thought to carry a significant risk for rapid neurologic deterioration with a poor response to nonsurgical management.

METHODS

A retrospective surgical case series of the acute surgical management of cervical spondylodiscitis is reviewed to characterize the neurologic presentation and postoperative neurologic course in a relatively uncommon disease.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine patients were identified (mean age, 59 years [range, 18-83 years; SD ± 13.2 years]) from a single-institution neurosurgical database. The most common levels of radiographic cervical involvement were C4-C5, C5-C6, and C6-C7, in descending order. Overall, statistically significant clinical improvement was noted after surgery (P < 0.05). Spinal cord hyperintensity on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was significantly associated with a worse preoperative neurologic grade (P = 0.036), but did not correlate with a relatively worse neurologic outcome by discharge. No significant difference was noted between potential preoperative predictors (organism cultured, presence of epidural abscess, tobacco use, early surgery within 24 hours of clinical presentation) and preoperative American Spinal Injury Association injury scale, with the exception of the duration between symptom onset and surgical intervention. A negative correlation between increased preoperative duration of symptoms and magnitude in motor improvement was observed. Relative to anteroposterior decompression and fusion, anterior treatment alone demonstrated a relatively greater effect in neurologic improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Cervical spondylodiscitis is a rare disease that typically manifests with preoperative motor deficits. Surgery was associated with a significant improvement in motor score by hospital discharge. Significant predictors of neurologic improvement were not observed. Prolonged symptomatic duration was correlated with a significantly lower likelihood of motor score improvement.

Anterior Cervical Infection: Presentation and Incidence of an Uncommon Postoperative Complication

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective multi-institutional case series.

OBJECTIVE

The anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) affords the surgeon the flexibility to treat a variety of cervical pathologies, with the majority being for degenerative and traumatic indications. Limited data in the literature describe the presentation and true incidence of postoperative surgical site infections.

METHODS

A retrospective multicenter case series study was conducted involving 21 high-volume surgical centers from the AOSpine North America Clinical Research Network, selected for their excellence in spine care and clinical research infrastructure and experience. Medical records for 17 625 patients who received cervical spine surgery (levels from C2 to C7) between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2011, inclusive, were reviewed to identify the occurrence of 21 predefined treatment complications. Patients who underwent an ACDF were identified in the database and reviewed for the occurrence of postoperative anterior cervical infections.

RESULTS

A total of 8887 patients were identified from a retrospective database analysis of 21 centers providing data for postoperative anterior cervical infections (17/21, 81% response rate). A total of 6 postoperative infections after ACDF were identified for a mean rate of 0.07% (range 0% to 0.39%). The mean age of patients identified was 57.5 (SD = 11.6, 66.7% female). The mean body mass index was 22.02. Of the total infections, half were smokers (n = 3). Two patients presented with myelopathy, and 3 patients presented with radiculopathic-type complaints. The mean length of stay was 4.7 days. All patients were treated aggressively with surgery for management of this complication, with improvement in all patients. There were no mortalities.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of postoperative infection in ACDF is exceedingly low. The management has historically been urgent irrigation and debridement of the surgical site. However, due to the rarity of this occurrence, guidance for management is limited to retrospective series.