Presentation and Outcomes After Medical and Surgical Treatment Versus Medical Treatment Alone of Spontaneous Infectious Spondylodiscitis: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to (1) describe the clinical features, disabilities, and incidence of neurologic deficits of pyogenic spondylodiscitis prior to treatment and (2) compare the functional outcomes between patients who underwent medical treatment alone or in combination with surgery for pyogenic spondylodiscitis.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was performed using PubMed according to PRISMA guidelines. No year restriction was put in place. Statistical analysis of pooled data, when documented in the original report (ie, number of patients with desired variable and number of patients evaluated), was conducted to determine the most common presenting symptoms, incidence of pre- and postoperative neurologic deficits, associated comorbidities, infectious pathogens, approach for surgery when performed, and duration of hospitalization. Outcomes data, including return to work status, resolution of back pain, and functional recovery were also pooled among all studies and surgery-specific studies alone. Meta-analysis of studies with subgroup analysis of pain-free outcome in surgical and medical patients was performed.

RESULTS

Fifty of 1286 studies were included, comprising 4173 patients undergoing either medical treatment alone or in combination with surgery. Back pain was the most common presenting symptom, reported in 91% of patients. Neurologic deficit was noted in 31% of patients. Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly reported pathogen, seen in 35% of reported cases. Decompression and fusion was the most commonly reported surgical procedure, performed in 80% of the surgically treated patients. Combined anterior-posterior procedures and staged surgeries were performed in 33% and 26% of surgeries, respectively. The meta-analysis comparing visual analog scale score at follow-up was superior among patients receiving surgery over medical treatment alone (mean difference -0.61, CI -0.90 to -0.25), while meta-analysis comparing freedom from pain in patients receiving medical treatment alone versus combined medical and surgical treatment demonstrated superior pain-free outcomes among surgical series (odds ratio 5.35, CI 2.27-12.60, P < .001), but was subject to heterogeneity among studies (I ² = 56%, P = .13). Among all patients, freedom from pain was achieved in 79% of patients, and an excellent outcome was achieved in 73% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Medical management remains first-line treatment of infectious pyogenic spondylodiscitis. Surgery may be indicated for progressive pain, persistent infection on imaging, deformity or neurologic deficits. If surgery is required, reported literature shows potential for significant pain reduction, improved neurologic function and a high number of patients returning to a normal functional/work status.

Complications of surgical intervention in adult lumbar scoliosis

If nonoperative measures are unsuccessful in managing the pain and disability of adult spinal deformities, surgical correction may provide the potential for significant improvement in a patient's quality of life. However, these procedures have a relatively high risk of complications. Identifying patients that may benefit from surgical intervention requires a thorough understanding of potential complications and managing the risks of any individual patient. Complications do not necessarily result in poor outcomes, and good outcomes are not always complication free. Higher risk patients potentially have more to gain, even if they experience complications. With the rapidly expanding senior population and expanded capabilities to manage high-risk patients, it is helpful to consider the lessons provided by ever expanding databases of outcome measures to refine the surgical decision-making process.

Surgical considerations for major deformity correction spine surgery

Spinal deformity is defined as abnormality in alignment, formation, or curvature of one or more segments of the spine. Its characteristic clinical presentation and radiographic appearance differ according to patient age and the underlying cause. The most common deformity in the pediatric population is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, whereas in adults many patients present with de novo deformity secondary to degenerative disease. Although the specific goals differ between patients, the broad aims include restoration of regional and global alignment, decompression of neural elements as necessary, and establishment of a solid fusion. Surgeons perform deformity correction by various approaches and techniques to achieve the desired correction while minimizing perioperative risk.

Osteoid osteomas: intraoperative bone scan-assisted resection. Clinical article

OBJECT

Osteoid osteomas (OOs) are benign lesions of the spine, but can cause significant pain and spinal deformity in the pediatric population. They are often surgically elusive, and may require multiple surgical procedures to ensure complete resection. Nuclear medicine intraoperative bone scans (IOBSs) are highly sensitive for lesion localization and verification of complete surgical extirpation.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 20 consecutive patients who had undergone resection of a spinal OO at the authors' institution was undertaken. In all cases, IOBSs were used for lesion localization and verification of resection. Postoperative imaging and clinical follow-up were obtained.

RESULTS

The average length of follow-up was 56 months, with a range of 8-156 months. Five patients had undergone a total of 12 unsuccessful prior procedures for resection at other institutions where IOBSs were not used. In these patients, complete resection was accomplished with the use of IOBSs at the authors' institution. Of the 15 patients who presented to this institution with a newly diagnosed OO and who underwent IOBS-assisted resection, 14 had complete resection without recurrence. One patient, however, was found to have a discrete recurrence adjacent to the initial resection bed at the time of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Osteoid osteomas are benign lesions of the spine, and complete resection is curative. If resection is incomplete, then recurrence is likely. The IOBS modality is highly sensitive for detecting OO and for guiding complete resection. The IOBS modality should be considered as a first-line surgical adjunct in cases of suspected OO.