Outcomes and risk factors for spontaneous spondylodiscitis: Case series and meta-analysis of the literature

Vertebral osteomyelitis: a comparative, single-center study in northwestern China

BACKGROUND

Vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) is an infection of the spine with increasing prevalence due to improved diagnostics and aging populations. Multiple pathogens, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Brucella spp., and pyogenic bacteria, can cause VO, making differential diagnosis complex, especially in regions with endemic brucellosis and tuberculosis. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment.

METHODS

This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study performed between 2019 and 2022 in Kashi, Xinjiang.

RESULTS

In this study, a total of 319 patients were enrolled, comprising 45.5% with tuberculous vertebral osteomyelitis (TVO; 52.4% females), 37.9% with brucellar vertebral osteomyelitis (BVO; 19.8% females), and 16.6% with pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (PVO; 52.8% females). Demographically, TVO had a longer mean time to diagnosis compared to BVO and PVO. BVO was more prevalent in male, and PVO patients had higher rates of spinal surgery history (45.3%) and diabetes (13.2%). Clinically, TVO patients presented with fever (72.4%), sweating (83.4%), weight loss (71.7%), and appetite loss (84.8%) more frequently, while BVO patients reported more lower back pain (86.0%). Laboratory investigations revealed significantly higher leucocyte and neutrophil levels in PVO, whereas TVO patients had elevated monocyte-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios. Radiologically, TVO patients exhibited a higher incidence of thoracic involvement (56.6%) and skip lesions (20%). Microbiologically, BVO and PVO had high positive culture rates (84.3 and 84.9%, respectively), with M. tuberculosis isolated from only 4.1% of TVO patients.

CONCLUSION

These findings underscore the distinct clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of TVO, BVO, and PVO.

Clinical and demographic characteristics of spondylodiscitis in a Mexican population: A retrospective study

The aim of this study was to identify the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of spondylodiscitis through microbiological cultures. A descriptive, observational, and retrospective study was conducted. Patients were included based on clinical and radiological evidence of vertebral infection, unspecified discitis, and/or positive microbiological cultures consistent with spondylodiscitis. For the comparison between men and women, the Student's t-test and odds ratio were employed. The Chi-square test was used to examine correlations between affected spinal levels, isolated microorganisms, and associated comorbidities. A total of 86 cases of discitis were identified, 65% of which involved male patients. The mean age was 59.0±11.5 years (range: 38-83), and the average body mass index (BMI) was 28±4.05kg/m2. Primary discitis predominated in 68% of cases, mainly at the thoracic level. Seventeen patients presented with spondylodiscitis not associated with chronic degenerative diseases. The most frequently isolated microorganisms were Staphylococcus aureus (28 cases) and Escherichia coli (21 cases). In 16 cases, intracellular pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Brucella spp. were identified, leading to an average hospital stay of 30 days. Spondylodiscitis is a serious complication, and this study highlights differences from previously published data, particularly in terms of the microorganisms involved and the demographic profile of the population.

Postoperative Lumbar Spondylodiscitis Following Transforaminal Endoscopy and Outcomes of Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Objective: To describe the presentation spectrum of postoperative spondylodiscitis (POS<i>e</i>) following transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy and to report the outcomes of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).Methods: This study analyzed all patients with the classic features of POS<i>e</i> who underwent index surgery elsewhere and presented to us. They had not responded to conservative care for 3 weeks and were operated further with open TLIF. The treatment response was judged by the declining values of inflammatory markers, improvements in mobility, and decreases in pain. Patients’ outcomes were analyzed using a visual analogue scale (VAS), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the occurrence of complications. Radiological outcomes were assessed by fusion and implant stability. The spectrum of the demographic presentation was analyzed. PubMed was searched to find the incidence of POS<i>e</i> and the spectrum of organisms involved.Results: Fifteen patients were operated primarily by interventionalists and four by surgeons among 19 POS<i>e</i> patients who finally underwent TLIF at Stavya Spine Hospital & Research Institute. Organism culture positivity was found in 10 and no culture results were present in 9 cases. All TLIF cases had a follow-up of 52.94 ± 13.66 months (range, 28–71 months). The preoperative back pain VAS improved from 9.47 ± 0.61 (8–10) to 0.42 ± 0.50 (0–1). The leg pain VAS improved from 5.78 ± 4.19 (6–10) to 0.52 ± 0.61 (0–1). The preoperative ODI improved from 87.01 ± 7.70 (73.33–97.79) to 7.36 ± 8.14 (0–26.67). No major complications occurred. Cure of infection and stable reconstruction with fusion were achieved in all patients.Conclusion: POS<i>e</i> has a very low reported incidence. Standardization of training and sterilization would further reduce its incidence. However, aggressive early TLIF in patients with nonresponding POS<i>e</i> produces beneficial results.

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.

Analysis of Clinical Factors Associated with Medical Burden and Functional Status in Pyogenic Spine Infection

Background and purpose: Pyogenic spinal infection (PSI) has recently been on the rise due to aging and increasing degenerative spinal disease related procedures. PSI requires long-term antibiotic treatment and is followed by sustained functional disability even after successful treatment. This study aimed to analyze the clinical factors associated with medical burden and functional status of PSI. Methods: This retrospective study involved patients with non-postoperative PSI of thoraco-lumbo-sacral area in a single tertiary hospital. The length/cost of hospitalization with an antibiotic therapy and severity of back pain using the short form 36 (SF-36) were defined as the medical burden and functional status, respectively. We analyzed the clinical factors associated with medical burden and functional status. Results: We enrolled 142 patients (91 males and 51 females). The length and cost of hospitalization were 55.56 ± 27.09 (7–172) days and $14,070.17 ± 9289.39 (1611.87–48,722.35), respectively. A recurrence rate of 7.7% (11/142) and significant improvement of SF-36 at six months after completion of antibiotic treatment were noted (p < 0.05). Procedure-related (OR 2.702), C-reactive protein (CRP; OR 1.062), bacteremia (OR 4.966), additional surgical treatment (OR 6.524), recurrence (OR 12.453), and paraspinal abscess (OR 5.965) for above-average length of hospitalization were observed; female (OR 4.438), CRP (OR 1.071), bacteremia (OR 4.647), additional surgical treatment (OR 6.737), recurrence (OR 22.543), and extent of lesion (OR 1.431) for above-average cost of hospitalization; leg weakness (OR 15.966), white blood cell (WBC; OR 1.116), Charlson’s comorbidity index (CCI, OR 1.485), and identification of causative bacteria (OR 2.913) for below-average initial SF-36 were observed; leg weakness (OR 7.975) and WBC (OR 1.094) for below-average 6-month SF-36 were the statistically significant clinical factors in the multivariable logistic regression analysis (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Recurrence and leg weakness were identified as the most important clinical factors for medical burden and functional status in PSI, respectively. We think that it is necessary to actively suppress recurrence and manage neurological deficits for decreasing medical burden and achieving favorable functional outcome in the treatment of PSI.

Bibliographic Study and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Outcomes of Full-Endoscopic Spine Surgery for Painful Lumbar Spine Conditions

BACKGROUND

Full-endoscopic spine surgery (FESS) indications already cover degenerative, infectious, and neoplastic diseases. This study aimed to use a bibliometric search and meta-analysis of the highest-quality studies in the last 20 years to determine the quantity and quality of FESS research, geographic distribution, and the outcomes for lumbar conditions.

METHODS

Articles on FESS published from 2000 to 2022 were screened and assessed through Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus. Also, databases were searched for longitudinal studies to pool in a meta-analysis of patients undergoing FESS for lumbar conditions. After stratifying the risk of bias and having collected the studies of the highest quality, we included the proportion of patients with a satisfactory outcome and intraoperative and postoperative adverse events after the analysis of lumbar spine conditions.

RESULTS

A total of 728 articles were identified by the bibliographic search. Between 2000 and 2021, the published articles increased 21-fold. Most were from China (70.15%), followed by South Korea (19.5%). Most were retrospective (68.3%) and regarding treatment of lumbar disease (86.4%). Fifty studies, including 34,828 patients, were pooled in the meta-analysis. More than 85% of patients experienced satisfactory improvement in each of different lumbar conditions. Major adverse events were <2%; recurrence and postoperative dysesthesia rates were within those reported for open or mini-invasive procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

This study may fill research gaps on FESS and lead to adequately designed studies. Our meta-analysis showed that FESS for lumbar diseases is a procedure with satisfactory outcomes and low rates of adverse events.

Lumbar Spondylodiscitis Mimicking Cholecystitis: A Case Report and Review of Literature

BACKGROUND

 Lower back pain is a frequent cause of emergency department visits and one of the leading causes of the disease burden worldwide. The purpose of this case report and literature review was to discuss atypical abdominal entities mimicking spinal diseases typically presenting with lower back pain.

METHODS

 A 79-year-old man presented with lower back pain and urinary incontinence after receiving a non-image-guided lumbar infiltration treatment 4 weeks prior to admission. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) highlighted multisegmental hyperintensities in the intervertebral disk spaces of the lumbar spine indicative for spondylodiscitis. Antibiotic treatment over a week did not lead to significant clinical improvement. Blood cultures, cardiologic, otorhinolaryngologic, and dental examinations turned out negative for a focus of infection. A computed tomography (CT) guided biopsy was indicated after discontinuation of antibiotic treatment for less than 24 hours. Rapid clinical deterioration with concomitant onset of abdominal pain resulted in the diagnosis of cholecystitis, which required cholecystectomy. We performed a systematic literature review using the Pubmed database for the keywords "spondylodiscitis," "spine," "abdominal," and "cholecystitis," to identify abdominal diseases that mimic spine pathologies and spinal diseases that mimic abdominal pathologies.

RESULTS

 No other report in English literature of cholecystitis associated with initial onset of lower back pain was identified. Eighteen reports referred to abdominal conditions that mimic spinal diseases, among them a patient with cyclic lumbar back pain who received a lumbar spinal fusion who, after persisting symptoms led to further diagnostic procedures, was ultimately diagnosed with endometriosis. Spinal symptoms included paraplegia and urinary incontinence as results of acute aortic pathologies. Eleven reports presented spinal pain mimicking abdominal conditions including abdominal pain and diarrhea as well as have had surgical procedures such as an appendectomy before the spinal condition was discovered.

CONCLUSION

 Clinical symptoms of the spine such as lower back pain can be unspecific and lead to false conclusions in the presence of concomitant pathologies in MRI. Only clinical deterioration in our case patient prompted correction of the diagnosis on day 7. Initial workup for alternative common infectious foci such as lung and urinary tract was performed, but further abdominal workup despite the absence of abdominal symptoms may have led to an earlier diagnosis. Our literature review found several cases of misdiagnosed spinal and abdominal conditions. Some had undergone unnecessary surgical procedures before the right diagnosis was made. Because of the high incidence of symptoms such as lumbar back pain and abdominal pain, considering optimal patient care as well as economic aspects, it would be essential to conduct an interdisciplinary clinical management to avoid errors in the early stage of diagnostics.

Steady-state concentrations of flucloxacillin in porcine vertebral cancellous bone and intervertebral disc following oral and intravenous administration assessed by microdialysis

AIMS

Flucloxacillin is a frequently used antibiotic in the treatment of spondylodiscitis. We assessed steady-state concentrations and time above minimal inhibitory concentration (fT > MIC) of flucloxacillin in the intervertebral disc, vertebral cancellous bone, subcutaneous tissue and plasma, after intravenous and oral administration.

METHODS

Sixteen pigs were randomized into two groups; Group Peroral (Group PO) and Group Intravenous (Group IV) received 1 g flucloxacillin every 6 h for 24 h orally or intravenously. Microdialysis was used for sampling in the compartments of interest. A flucloxacillin target of 50% fT > MIC was applied for three MIC targets: 0.125, 0.5 and 2.0 μg/mL.

RESULTS

Intravenous administration resulted in significantly longer fT > MIC for all targets. Target attainment was only reached for the low target of 0.125 μg/mL in Group IV in vertebral cancellous bone, subcutaneous tissue, and plasma (intervertebral disc 47%). In Group IV, mean fT > MIC values in the investigated compartments were in the range of 47-67% of the dosing interval for 0.125 μg/mL, 20-35% for 0.5 μg/mL, and 0-15% for 2.0 μg/mL. In Group PO, mean fT > MIC values for 0.125 μg/mL were in the range of 1-33%. No pigs reached a concentration of 0.5 μg/mL in any of the investigated compartments in Group PO.

CONCLUSION

Administration of 1 g flucloxacillin every 6 h resulted in surprisingly low steady-state fT > MIC after intravenous and oral administration. However, intravenous administration resulted in significantly higher concentrations across compartments compared to oral administration. Sufficient target tissue concentrations for treatment of spondylodiscitis may require a dose increase or alternative dosing regimens.

Surgical management of spontaneous thoracic and lumbar spondylodiscitis by fixation and debridement

Background:

Spondylodiscitis could be considered one of the most disturbing challenges that face neurosurgeons due to variety of management strategies. The lumbar region was highly affected then dorsal region with higher percentage for lesion in L4/5 (25%) followed by T11/12 and L5/S1 (15%). In our study, we discuss the efficacy of debridement and fixation in cases of spontaneous thoracic and lumbar spondylodiscitis.

Methods:

This retrospective study included 40 patients with spontaneous thoracic or lumbar spondylodiscitis indicated for surgical intervention in the period from March 2019 to February 2021. All patients were subjected to thorough history taking, neurological examination, and investigations. The patients were operated on through posterior approach by debridement and posterior transpedicular screws fixation and fusion.

Results:

Clinical assessment early postoperative revealed 75% of cases showed full motor power and 20% showed improvement in motor power, for sensory assessment, 85% showed improvement, the mean visual analog scale (VAS) score was of 3.65 ± 0.87. After 3 months postoperatively, 95% of cases were full motor power with sensory and autonomic (sphincteric) improvement. The mean VAS score was 2.5 ± 0.68. After 6 months postoperative, the clinical assessment revealed that 95% of cases were full motor power with sensory manifestation improvement, and 95% of them were continent. The mean VAS score was 1±0.85. Culture results showed that 65% of samples were negative culture, 15% had methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and 10% had Escherichia coli with a single case of Pseudomonas and another one of fungal (Candida albicans). Postoperative 90% of cases showed improvement in erythrocyte sedimentation rate results and 95% of cases showed improvement in C-reactive protein results.

Conclusion:

Management of spontaneous thoracic and lumbar spondylodiscitis by surgical debridement and posterolateral open transpedicular fixation seems to be effective and safe method despite the presence of infection. We found that the clinical condition of our patients showed significant improvement with this addressed approach.

Culture Yield in the Diagnosis of Native Vertebral Osteomyelitis: A Single Tertiary Center Retrospective Case Series with Literature Review

Background

Vertebral osteomyelitis is a serious condition that requires prompt diagnosis to avoid delays in proper management. There is no well-defined gold standard for diagnosis. We describe the current diagnostic approach at our institution, with a focus on the yield of image-guided vertebral biopsy.

Methods

We performed a single-centre 10-year retrospective case series, including adults with imaging suggestive of vertebral osteomyelitis/discitis, with either positive blood cultures, and/or a vertebral biopsy. We defined positive histopathology as our gold standard for test characteristic evaluation of biopsy cultures.

Results

Out of 694 patients identified, 221 met our inclusion criteria, and 173/221 (78.2%) patients underwent a spinal biopsy. Of those patients with biopsies, 113 (65%) had received antibiotics within 2 weeks preceding their evaluation. Six of 43 (13.9%) bone specimens were positive by culture, while 66/152 (43.4%) of disc specimens were culture positive. Forty-seven of 84 (55.9%) histopathology (bone or disc) specimens were diagnostic for osteomyelitis/discitis. The sensitivity of bone and disk culture were 30.0% and 56.0%, respectively, with specificities of 92.8% and 75.0%, respectively. Twenty-three (13.4%) patients had repeat biopsies, including 10 bone specimens and 14 disc specimens, and 11 (47.8%) specimens had histopathology performed which diagnosed an additional 3/23 patients (13% additional diagnostic yield).

Conclusions

Culture of percutaneous biopsy of disc resulted in the highest diagnostic yield. Histopathology added to the diagnostic yield in culture-negative specimens. Histopathologic evaluation of bone had better yield than bone culture. A repeat biopsy can add to the diagnostic yield.

Clinical characteristics of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis, and factors associated with inadequate treatment response

OBJECTIVES

Pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (PVO) is associated with a high burden of disease. Our study aimed to describe characteristics at presentation of PVO, the risk of inadequate treatment response (ITR), relapse, and death, and to determine risk factors for ITR.

METHODS

Patients with an ICD-10 discharge code for PVO and admission to a major Danish university hospital between November 2016 and April 2019 were included. ITR was defined as clinical, microbiological, and/or radiological progression during treatment. Data were collected through review of medical records, and logistic regression was used to determine adjusted odds ratios (aOR).

RESULTS

Of 106 patients included, 87% presented with pain in the spine, 97% elevated CRP, 14% severe sepsis, and 13% with a history of previous spinal surgery. 39% were infected with Staphylococcus aureus and 9% with Escherichia coli. 31% responded inadequately to treatment, and risk factors for ITR were previous spinal surgery (aOR 19.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.20-169.08), severe sepsis (aOR 4.59; 95% CI 1.28-15.41), and infection with Escherichia coli (aOR 8.10; 95% CI 1.71-38.45). 13% experienced relapse within the first 2 years, while the 1-year crude mortality was 12%.

CONCLUSION

Staphylococcus aureus is still the main pathogen in PVO patients, and the risks of relapse and mortality remain high. Factors found to be associated with ITR were previous spinal surgery, severe sepsis, and infection with Escherichia coli.

Management of Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis Following Nonspinal Surgeries: A Tertiary Care Center Experience

BACKGROUND

The literature is lacking on the incidence and management of pyogenic spondylodiscitis (PS) following routine elective surgical procedures. This study aimed to analyze the presentation and treatment outcome in patients with PS following nonspinal surgeries at a tertiary care center with a minimum follow-up of 12 months.

METHODS

The demographic, clinical-radiologic features, and treatment outcomes in 40 patients with a diagnosis of PS following nonspinal surgical procedures were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean age at presentation was 36.4 ± 11.8 years, with 80% of patients being female. The common surgical procedures associated with PS were cesarean delivery (30%), gastric sleeve surgery (12.5%), and dilatation and curettage (12.5%). The tissue biopsy culture was positive in 82.5% of patients. A total of 26 patients (65%) were treated with conservative management and 14 patients (35%) were treated surgically. The mean pretreatment Core Outcome Measure Index score significantly decreased at 12 months (P < .0001) after treatment. The mean pretreatment erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P < .0001) and C-reactive protein (P < .0001) levels significantly decreased at 12 months after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

With most patients with PS following nonspinal surgeries treated with conservative management, excellent clinical outcomes were achieved in all patients at 12 months after treatment. The diagnosis of PS should be considered in patients presenting with low back pain (LBP) with a recent history of undergoing a nonspinal surgical procedure. Patients who undergo surgical procedures are an important "at-risk" patient population, and early diagnosis and treatment can help achieve excellent clinical outcomes. Further studies are required to determine risk factors and possible perioperative precautions that can be taken to prevent PS in patients who undergo nonspine surgeries.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Pyogenic spondylodiscitis should be suspected in patients presenting with LBP after a recent non-spinal surgical procedure. Early diagnosis and treatment can help achieve excellent clinical outcomes in these patients.

Spondylodiscitis complicating infective endocarditis

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective was to assess the characteristics and prognosis of pyogenic spondylodiscitis (PS) in patients with infective endocarditis (IE). The secondary objectives were to assess the factors associated with occurrence of PS.

METHODS

Prospective case-control bi-centre study of 1755 patients with definite IE with (n=150) or without (n=1605) PS. Clinical, microbiological and prognostic variables were recorded.

RESULTS

Patients with PS were older (mean age 69.7±18 vs 66.2±14; p=0.004) and had more arterial hypertension (48% vs 34.5%; p<0.001) and autoimmune disease (5% vs 2%; p=0.03) than patients without PS. The lumbar vertebrae were the most frequently involved (84 patients, 66%), especially L4-L5. Neurological symptoms were observed in 59% of patients. Enterococci and Streptococcus gallolyticus were more frequent (24% vs 12% and 24% vs 11%; p<0001, respectively) in the PS group. The diagnosis of PS was based on contrast-enhanced MRI in 92 patients, bone CT in 88 patients and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in 56 patients. In-hospital (16% vs 13.5%, p=0.38) and 1-year (21% vs 22%, p=0.82) mortalities did not differ between patients with or without PS.

CONCLUSIONS

PS is a frequent complication of IE (8.5% of IE), is observed in older hypertensive patients with enterococcal or S. gallolyticus IE, and has a similar prognosis than other forms of IE. Since PS is associated with specific management, multimodality imaging including MRI, CT and PET/CT should be used for early diagnosis of this complication of endocarditis.