Spondylodiscitis: standards of current treatment

The Human Microbiome and Its Role in Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) are characterized as injuries and illnesses that affect the musculoskeletal system. MSDs affect every population worldwide and are associated with substantial global burden. Variations in the makeup of the gut microbiota may be related to chronic MSDs. There is growing interest in exploring potential connections between chronic MSDs and variations in the composition of gut microbiota. The human microbiota is a complex community consisting of viruses, archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes, both inside and outside of the human body. These microorganisms play crucial roles in influencing human physiology, impacting metabolic and immunological systems in health and disease. Different body areas host specific types of microorganisms, with facultative anaerobes dominating the gastrointestinal tract (able to thrive with or without oxygen), while strict aerobes prevail in the nasal cavity, respiratory tract, and skin surfaces (requiring oxygen for development). Together with the immune system, these bacteria have coevolved throughout time, forming complex biological relationships. Changes in the microbial ecology of the gut may have a big impact on health and can help illnesses develop. These changes are frequently impacted by lifestyle choices and underlying medical disorders. The potential for safety, expenses, and efficacy of microbiota-based medicines, even with occasional delivery, has attracted interest. They are, therefore, a desirable candidate for treating MSDs that are chronic and that may have variable progression patterns. As such, the following is a narrative review to address the role of the human microbiome as it relates to MSDs.

The effectiveness of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy combined with external lumbar drainage in the treatment of intervertebral infections

Objective

To analyze the effect of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy in treating lumbar intervertebral infections.

Methods

A total of 13 patients with lumbar intervertebral infections who underwent percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy combined with external drainage between November 2016 and December 2019 were enrolled in the present study. After the operation, sensitive antibiotics were used based on the results of the bacterial culture. If no pathogens were detected in the biopsy culture of the infected tissues, empirical antibiotics were administrated to these patients. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by using a visual analog scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and standard Macnab's evaluation. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) and MRI were also used to evaluate clinical efficacy.

Results

The follow-up time was 10–18 months, and the average time was (13.69 ± 2.63) months. Causative bacteria were isolated in 7 of 13 infected tissue biopsy cultures. Systemic antibiotics and anti-tuberculous chemotherapy were administered according to sensitivity studies for identified. There were no pathogens isolated from the other six patients. Empiric antibiotics were administrated in these patients. One week after the operation, WBC, a fractional fraction of medium granulocytes, ESR and CRP were significantly lower compared to before the operation (all P < 0.05). At the last follow-up visit, the above-mentioned markers were all within normal range, which differed compared to the pre-operative data (P < 0.05). The VAS and ODI of the patients at 1 week and 3 months after operation were significantly lower compared to preoperative data (all P < 0.05). During the last follow-up visit, seven patients were excellent, five were good, and one was poor according to standard Macnab's evaluation. No serious complications were recorded.

Conclusions

Percutaneous lumbar discectomy combined with external drainage resulted as an effective method for treating lumbar intervertebral infections and was associated with fewer injuries, less pain, low cost, and low recurrence rate.

Virtual Reality in Preoperative Planning of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery Using Google Cardboard

OBJECTIVE

Preoperative planning in spine surgery is a fundamental step of the surgical workup and is often assisted by direct visualization of anatomical 2-dimensional images. This process is time-consuming and may excessively approximate the 3-dimensional (3D) nature of spinal anatomy. Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging technology capable of reconstructing an interactive 3D anatomical model that can be freely explored and manipulated.

METHODS

Sixty patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis underwent correction of the scoliotic curve by posterior arthrodesis after preoperative planning using traditional on-screen visualization of computed tomography scans (control group, n = 30) or exploration of a 3D anatomical model in VR using Google Cardboard (Google Inc.) (VR group, n = 30). Mean operative time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, and surgeon's satisfaction were assessed after surgery.

RESULTS

The use of VR led to a significant decrease in operative time and bleeding while increasing the surgeon's satisfaction compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative planning with VR turned out to be effective in terms of operative time and blood loss reduction. Moreover, such technology proved to be reproducible, costeffective, and more satisfactory compared to conventional planning.

Preliminary clinical study: percutaneous lumbar discectomy combined with external drainage for treatment of intervertebral disc infections with epidural abscess

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous lumbar discectomy (PLD) combined with external drainage (ED) is a new technique for the treatment of intervertebral disc infection with epidural abscess.

AIM

To discuss the feasibility, safety and efficacy of PLD and ED for the treatment of intervertebral disc infections with epidural abscess.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We enrolled 12 patients who underwent intervertebral disc infections with epidural abscess. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) and standard Macnab's evaluation. Postoperative computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were also used to evaluate the clinical efficacy.

RESULTS

The technical success rate is 100%. Preoperation mean VAS score was 8.18 ±0.98; 5.36 ±1.50 postoperation 1 month; 3.36 ±2.24 postoperation 6 months; 2.77 ±0.31 postoperation 12 months. The comparison of preoperation and postoperation VAS showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). According to standard Macnab's evaluation, of all 12 cases, postoperation 12 months - excellent 4 cases, good 7 cases, poor 1 case. The efficacy rate was 91.6%. No serious complications were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous lumbar discectomy combined with external drainage may be a safe and efficacy method for the treatment of intervertebral disc infections with epidural abscess.

The role of the orthopaedic surgeon in the COVID-19 era: cautions and perspectives

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has revolutionized global healthcare in an unprecedented way and with unimaginable repercussions. Resource reallocation, socioeconomic confinement and reorganization of production activities are current challenges being faced both at the national and international levels, in a frame of uncertainty and fear. Hospitals have been restructured to provide the best care to COVID-19 patients while adopting preventive strategies not to spread the infection among healthcare providers and patients affected by other diseases. As a consequence, the concept of urgency and indications for elective treatments have been profoundly reshaped. In addition, several providers have been recruited in COVID-19 departments despite their original occupation, resulting in a profound rearrangement of both inpatient and outpatient care. Orthopaedic daily practice has been significantly affected by the pandemic. Surgical indications have been reformulated, with elective cases being promptly postponed and urgent interventions requiring exceptional attention, especially in suspected or COVID-19⁺ patients. This has made a strong impact on inpatient management, with the need of a dedicated staff, patient isolation and restrictive visiting hour policies. On the other hand, outpatient visits have been limited to reduce contacts between patients and the hospital personnel, with considerable consequences on post-operative quality of care and the human side of medical practice.

In this review, we aim to analyze the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the orthopaedic practice. Particular attention will be dedicated to opportune surgical indication, perioperative care and safe management of both inpatients and outpatients, also considering repercussions of the pandemic on resident education and ethical implications.

Comparison of the Diagnostic Value of MRI and Whole Body 18F-FDG PET/CT in Diagnosis of Spondylodiscitis

Spondylodiscitis is a spine infection for which a diagnosis by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the most appropriate imaging technique. The aim of this study was to compare the role of an ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) and an MRI in this field. For 56 patients with suspected spondylodiscitis for whom MRI and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT were performed, we retrospectively analyzed the results. Cohen’s κ was applied to evaluate the agreement between the two techniques in all patients and in subgroups with a different number of spinal districts analyzed by the MRI. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were also evaluated. The agreements of the ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and MRI in the evaluation of the entire population, whole-spine MRI, and two-districts MRI were moderate (κ = 0.456, κ = 0.432, and κ = 0.429, respectively). In patients for whom one-district MRI was performed, ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and MRI were both positive and completely concordant (κ = 1). We also separately evaluated patients with suspected spondylodiscitis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis for whom the MRI and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT were always concordant excepting in 2 of the 18 (11%) patients. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the MRI and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT were 100%, 60%, 97%, and 92%, 100%, and 94%, respectively. Our results confirmed the ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT diagnostic value in the diagnosis of spondylodiscitis is comparable to that of MRI for the entire spine evaluation. This could be considered a complementary technique or a valid alternative to MRI.

Different kinetics of infectious processes in vertebral osteomyelitis of pyogenic or tuberculous origin explain different timing of surgery

Background: Whether surgery modalities vary according to kinetics of pathological processes responsible for vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) is unclear. We therefore compared surgical modalities in patients with haematogenous pyogenic VO (HPVO) or tuberculous VO (TVO).Methods: Patients who had surgery for HPVO or TVO between January 1997 and June 2018 in a university hospital were included. Surgical indications, timing, and procedures and outcomes were evaluated at the end of treatment.Results: Seventy-eight patients (50 men) were included: 39 with HPVO and 39 with TVO; median age was 64 and 41 years, respectively. In patients with HPVO, surgery was performed early: 17 (44%) had surgery within 72 h of admission; main indication for surgery was neurological deficit in 29 patients that persisted in 12 patients (27%). In patients with TVO, surgery was performed later (p<.001), after two weeks in 20 patients (51%), and was indicated by a neurological deficit in 23 patients; among them, only one (4%) had residual deficit.Conclusions: Different kinetic profiles of the infectious processes explain the more rapid indication for surgery in patients with HPVO and the more favourable neurological recovery in patients with TVO.

Physical Activity for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain in Elderly Patients: A Systematic Review

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) affects nearly 20-25% of the population older than 65 years, and it is currently the main cause of disability both in the developed and developing countries. It is crucial to reach an optimal management of this condition in older patients to improve their quality of life. This review evaluates the effectiveness of physical activity (PA) to improve disability and pain in older people with non-specific CLBP. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to improve the reporting of the review. Individual risk of bias of single studies was assessed using Rob 2 tool and ROBINS-I tool. The quality of evidence assessment was performed using GRADE analysis only in articles that presents full data. The articles were searched in different web portals (Medline, Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, and CENTRAL). All the articles reported respect the following inclusion criteria: patients > 65 years old who underwent physical activities for the treatment of CLBP. A total of 12 studies were included: 7 randomized controlled trials (RCT), 3 non-randomized controlled trials (NRCT), 1 pre and post intervention study (PPIS), and 1 case series (CS). The studies showed high heterogeneity in terms of study design, interventions, and outcome variables. In general, post-treatment data showed a trend in the improvement for disability and pain. However, considering the low quality of evidence of the studies, the high risk of bias, the languages limitations, the lack of significant results of some studies, and the lack of literature on this argument, further studies are necessary to improve the evidences on the topic.

Joint EANM/ESNR and ESCMID-endorsed consensus document for the diagnosis of spine infection (spondylodiscitis) in adults

PURPOSE

Diagnosis of spondylodiscitis (SD) may be challenging due to the nonspecific clinical and laboratory findings and the need to perform various diagnostic tests including serologic, imaging, and microbiological examinations. Homogeneous management of SD diagnosis through international, multidisciplinary guidance would improve the sensitivity of diagnosis and lead to better patient outcome.

METHODS

An expert specialist team, comprising nuclear medicine physicians appointed by the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM), neuroradiologists appointed by the European Society of Neuroradiology (ESNR), and infectious diseases specialists appointed by the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID), reviewed the literature from January 2006 to December 2015 and proposed 20 consensus statements in answer to clinical questions regarding SD diagnosis. The statements were graded by level of evidence level according to the 2011 Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine criteria and included in this consensus document for the diagnosis of SD in adults. The consensus statements are the result of literature review according to PICO (P:population/patients, I:intervention/indicator, C:comparator/control, O:outcome) criteria. Evidence-based recommendations on the management of adult patients with SD, with particular attention to radiologic and nuclear medicine diagnosis, were proposed after a systematic review of the literature in the areas of nuclear medicine, radiology, infectious diseases, and microbiology.

RESULTS

A diagnostic flow chart was developed based on the 20 consensus statements, scored by level of evidence according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

This consensus document was developed with a final diagnostic flow chart for SD diagnosis as an aid for professionals in many fields, especially nuclear medicine physicians, radiologists, and orthopaedic and infectious diseases specialists.

Conservative Treatment of Spondylodiscitis: Possible Therapeutic Solution in Case of Failure of Standard Therapy

Introduction:

Spondylodiscitis (SD) is an uncommon disease but not rare, because it represents around 3–5% of all cases of osteomyelitis. Late diagnosis and/or inadequate treatment often cause irreversible damage to cause neurological deficit. Most require only conservative treatment, sometimes a surgical approach is required.

Aim:

The purpose of this study is to propose a conservative protocol to treat spondylodiscitis when the standard conservative treatment has failed. This alternative treatment has been for a long time at the Codivilla-Putti Institute.

Methods:

We performed a prospective cohort study of 192 consecutive patients who underwent paravertebral intramuscular injections of antibiotic associated with standard treatment at our Center from January 2010 to December 2015 with SD. Of this 192 patients we selected 98 who had already undergone standard antibiotic therapy at another hospital without resolution of the disease. All patients have performed our protocol that provides a total of 3 cycles, each of 3 weeks, repeated at approximately 5 weeks apart. For each patient we evaluated Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), White Blood Cells (WBC) indexes, SF36 and VAS Score at the beginning and at the end of the treatment.

Results:

At a mean follow up of 22 months (range 60-12), clinical healing was achieved in 87 patients (88,9%) of cases with significant reduction in back pain and functional limitation. The VAS Score and the SF36 were better at the end of treatment compared to previous “GOLD STANDARD” treatments in the previous hospitalization in another hospital. In most cases there were slightly reduced in inflammatory indexes.

Conclusion:

There are no studies in the literature demonstrating the effective efficacy of local infiltrative treatment with antibiotics, associated with standard treatment protocol. We believe that our protocol in treating SD, favors an early functional recovery, and be able to offer more chance of success than the standard treatment.

Treatment algorithm for spontaneous spinal infections: A review of the literature

Background:

Primary spinal infections are rare pathologies with an estimated incidence of 5% of all osteomyelitis. The diagnosis can be challenging and this might result in a late identification. The etiological diagnosis is the primary concern to determine the most appropriate treatment. The aim of this review article was to identify the importance of a methodological attitude toward accurate and prompt diagnosis using an algorithm to aid on spinal infection management.

Methods:

A search was done on spinal infection in some databases including PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, Ebsco, Embasco, and Scopus.

Results:

Literature reveals that on the basis of a clinical suspicion, the diagnosis can be formulated with a rational use of physical, radiological, and microbiological examinations. Microbiological culture samples can be obtained by a percutaneous computed tomography-guided procedure or by an open surgical biopsy. When possible, the samples should be harvested before antibiotic treatment is started. Indications for surgical treatment include neurological deficits or sepsis, spine instability and/or deformity, presence of epidural abscess and failure of conservative treatment.

Conclusion:

A multidisciplinary approach involving both a spinal surgeon and an infectious disease specialist is necessary to better define the treatment strategy. Based on literature findings, a treatment algorithm for the diagnosis and management of primary spinal infections is proposed.

Effectiveness of lumbar orthoses in low back pain: Review of the literature and our results

Back pain and diseases of the spine are today a health disorder of outstanding epidemiological, medical, and health economic importance. The cost of care for patients with lumbosciatic complaints are steadily increasing. Accordingly, the guidelines and treatments are constantly renewed. One concept is the orthotic care. In the following we want to give an overview of the literature and the effectiveness of lumbar orthoses in low back pain supplemented by our own data. A prospective randomized study with 230 patients, divided into three groups, each with two subgroups. Three Orthoses by the TIGGES-Zours GmbH were prescribed; a demountable two-step lumbar orthosis, three-step bridging orthosis and a four-step flexion orthosis modular system. Each were compared to the nonmodular equivalent. All six groups showed improvement in pain intensity and functional capacity at 6 and 12 weeks. The modular groups were found to have improvement in the frequency of use. The subjective effectiveness and sensitivity for the modular and non-modular groups was assessed as being good. In the literature, there are no clear guidelines for an orthotic supply. The studies do not seem to be meaningful and universal due to the difficult ascertainability of pain. There is a need for further research here. Nevertheless, the authors of this review are of the opinion that the implementation of trunk orthoses is void of side effects and beneficial to patients. The modular systems seem to have an advantage as well as higher patient satisfaction.

Iatrogenic Vascular Injury Occurring during Discectomy in a Spondylodiscitis Patient

All iatrogenic vascular injury occurring during discectomy is a rare complication, but fatal if not immediately diagnosed. When a vascular injury is highly suspected during discectomy, immediate vascular evaluation is needed even vital signs are stable during and immediately after the operation. We describe a case of iatrogenic abdominal aortic injury that occurred during discectomy in a spondylodiscitis patient, which was treated by endovascular repair.

Stem cells sources for intervertebral disc regeneration

Intervertebral disc regeneration field is rapidly growing since disc disorders represent a major health problem in industrialized countries with very few possible treatments. Indeed, current available therapies are symptomatic, and surgical procedures consist in disc removal and spinal fusion, which is not immune to regardable concerns about possible comorbidities, cost-effectiveness, secondary risks and long-lasting outcomes. This review paper aims to share recent advances in stem cell therapy for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration. In literature the potential use of different adult stem cells for intervertebral disc regeneration has already been reported. Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal/stem cells, adipose tissue derived stem cells, synovial stem cells, muscle-derived stem cells, olfactory neural stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, disc stem cells, and embryonic stem cells have been studied for this purpose either in vitro or in vivo. Moreover, several engineered carriers (e.g., hydrogels), characterized by full biocompatibility and prompt biodegradation, have been designed and combined with different stem cell types in order to optimize the local and controlled delivery of cellular substrates in situ. The paper overviews the literature discussing the current status of our knowledge of the different stem cells types used as a cell-based therapy for disc regeneration.

Health care associated hematogenous pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis: a severe and potentially preventable infectious disease

Although hematogenous pyogenic spinal infections have been related to hemodialysis (HD), catheter-related sepsis, and sporadically, to other nosocomial infections or procedures, in most recent studies and reviews the impact of nosocomial infection as a risk factor for vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) is not well established. The aim of our study was to describe the risk factors, infectious source, etiology, clinical features, therapy, and outcome of health care associated VO (HCAVO), and compare them with community-acquired VO (CAVO) cases.A retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with hematogenous VO was conducted in our third-level hospital between 1987 and 2011. HCAVO was defined as onset of symptoms after 1 month of hospitalization or within 6 months after hospital discharge, or ambulatory manipulations in the 6 months before the diagnosis.Over the 25-year study period, among 163 hematogenous pyogenic VO, 41 (25%) were health care associated, a percentage that increased from 15% (9/61) in the 1987-1999 period to 31% (32/102) in the 2000-2011 period (P < 0.01). The presumed source of infection was an intravenous catheter in 14 (34%), cutaneous foci in 8 (20%), urinary tract in 7 (17%), gastrointestinal in 3 (7%), other foci in 3 (7%), and unknown in 6 (15%). Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated microorganism (14 cases, 34%), followed by coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) in 6 (15%), and Enterobacteriaceae in 6 (15%) cases.Compared with CAVO cases, patients with HCAVO were older (mean 66.0 SD 13.0 years vs 60.5 SD 15.5 years), had more underlying conditions (73% vs 50%, P < 0.05), neoplasm/immunosuppression (39% vs 7%, P < 0.005), chronic renal failure (19% vs 4%, P < 0.001), a known source of infection (85% vs 54% P < 0.05), Candida spp (7% vs 0%, P < 0.01) or CoNS infections (15% vs 2%, P < 0.05), higher mortality (15% vs 6%, P = 0.069), and a higher relapse rate in survivors (9% vs 1%, P < 0.05).Presently, in our setting, one-third of hematogenous pyogenic VO infections are health care associated, and a third of these are potentially preventable catheter-related infections. Compared with CAVO, in health care associated hematogenous VO, mortality and relapse rates are higher; hence, further prevention measures should be assessed.

The orthotic treatment of acute and chronic disease of the cervical and lumbar spine

BACKGROUND

Orthoses are external aids that are often used to treat pain and diseases affecting the spine, such as lumbago, whiplash, and disc herniation. In this review, we assess the effectiveness and complications of orthotic treatment for typical spinal conditions and after spinal surgery. The orthotic treatment of fractures and postural abnormalities are beyond the scope of this article.

METHOD

This review is based on a selective search in the Medline database with consideration of controlled trials, systematic reviews, and the recommendations of the relevant medical societies.

RESULTS

Three relevant systematic reviews and four controlled trials were found. Very few controlled trials to date have studied the efficacy of orthotic treatment compared to other conservative treatments and surgery. No definitive evidence was found to support the use of orthoses after surgery, in lumbar radiculopathy, or after whiplash injuries of the cervical spine. In a single trial, short-term immobilization was an effective treatment of cervical radiculopathy. Orthoses are not recommended for nonspecific low back pain. The potential complications of cervical orthoses include pressure-related skin injuries and dysphagia.

CONCLUSION

No definitive evidence as yet supports the use of orthoses after spinal interventions or in painful conditions of the cervical or lumbar spine. They should, therefore, be used only after individual consideration of the indications in each case.

Surgical treatment of lumbar spondylodiscitis: a comparison of two methods

PURPOSE

This study evaluates two basic hypotheses: (1) the risk of an isolated dorsal approach to ventral lumbar spondylodiscitis based on clinical and radiographic results and (2) the risk of anterior radical debridement due to using a titanium implant in the site of bone infection.

METHODS

Group A consisting of 23 patients was treated only by a dorsal transmuscular approach and group B consisting of eight patients was treated by two-stage posteroanterior surgery. Both evaluated groups were assessed before surgery, six weeks and one year after surgery with the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) and Kirkaldy-Willis functional criteria. To evaluate the sagittal balance restoration, measurement by the Cobb modified angle of the affected segment was performed.

RESULTS

Differences (p < 0.001) in group A were found between JOA values before surgery (average 9.30) and at six weeks after surgery (average 11.82) and 12 months after surgery (13.27) and VAS differences before surgery (average 7.39), six weeks after surgery (average 3.82) and 12 months after surgery (average 2.36) in group A. According to the Kirkaldy-Willis functional criteria, 11 patients were evaluated as excellent, nine patients as good and two patients as poor. The values of the JOA score in group B showed an improvement compared with the JOA values before surgery (average 9.38) at six weeks after surgery (average 11.75) and 12 months after surgery (average 13.63), and the VAS score before surgery (average 7.38) was found to have improved six weeks after surgery (average 4.63) and 12 months after surgery (average 2.25). The functional evaluation according to the Kirkaldy-Willis functional criteria assessed three patients as excellent, four patients as good and one patient as fair. Radiographic examinations of group A revealed the following findings before surgery (average 1.75), six months after surgery (average -3.73) and 12 months after surgery (average -0.79) and in group B before surgery (average 3.71), six weeks after surgery (average -8.21) and 12 months after surgery (average -6.45).

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate the minimum serious surgical complications and greater loss of sagittal balance without clinical correlation in group A. We did not find any relapse or persistence of the infection in the post-operative period in group B.

Update on the surgical management of Pott's disease

One-third of the world's population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Data reported in 2011 indicate, for the first time, a decline in cases of tuberculosis, despite persistent inequalities across geographic areas and increasing rates of drug resistance. Osteo-articular tuberculosis affects the spine in half the cases. Pharmacotherapy must be combined with surgery in patients with spinal cord or nerve root compression, large abscesses, or marked anterior column osteolysis with kyphosis and instability. The quality of debridement and bony fusion is optimal when the anterior approach is used. Posterior fixation is the best means of achieving reduction followed by stable sagittal alignment over time. New treatment strategies combine conventional surgical methods, closed interventional radiology procedures for drainage and spinal cord decompression, and percutaneous fixation.

The transpedicular approach for the study of intervertebral disc regeneration strategies: in vivo characterization

PURPOSE

To characterize in vivo the transpedicular approach (TA) as an alternative route to study intervertebral disc (IVD) regeneration strategies in a sheep model.

METHODS

48 IVD of 12 sheep were used. TA was performed under fluoroscopy, followed by nucleotomy (2-mm shaver resector). A polyurethane scaffold was used to repair the end-plate. X-ray and MRI images were acquired pre-, intra- and post-operatively (1, 3, 6 months). Complications were recorded.

RESULTS

TA was feasible in all animals; nucleus pulposus (NP) from L1 to L5 was accessible. Nucleotomy followed by end-plate repair was achieved. Loss of NP signal intensity was shown in MRI images of the nucleotomy group.

CONCLUSIONS

TA is feasible in vivo, repeatable after only a short learning period and safely performed without significant morbidity. This animal model allows the study of IVD degeneration physiopathology and investigation of IVD regeneration techniques in vivo.

Spondylodiscitis after Cervical Nucleoplasty without Any Abnormal Laboratory Findings

Infective spondylodiscitis is a rare complication that can occur after interventional spinal procedures, of which symptoms are usually back pain and fever. Early diagnosis of infective spondylodiscitis is critical to start antibiotics and to improve prognosis. Laboratory examinations including complet blood cell count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) are conventional tools for the early detection of infectious spondylitis. However, we experienced infective spondylodiscitis after cervical nucleoplasty which did not display any laboratory abnormalities, but was diagnosed through an MRI. A patient with cervical disc herniation received nucleoplasty at C5/6 and C6/7. One month later, the patient complained of aggravated pain. There were neither signs of chill nor fever, and the laboratory results appeared normal. However, the MRI findings were compatible with infectious spondylodiscitis at the nucleoplasty site. In conclusion, infectious spondylodiscitis can develop after cervical nucleoplasty without any laboratory abnormalities. Therefore, an MRI should be taken when there is a clinical suspicion for infection in order to not miss complications after interventional procedures, even if the laboratory findings are normal.

The transpedicular approach as an alternative route for intervertebral disc regeneration

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive anatomical study on ovine and human cadaveric lumbar spinal segments.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the alternative transpedicular approach to deliver therapeutic agents into intervertebral disc (IVD).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The present delivery approach of therapeutic agents (growth factors/cells/hydrogels) within the IVD is through injection, via the annulus fibrosus (AF). However, it has recently been demonstrated that small needle puncture of the AF leads to further degeneration and disc herniation. In addition, the injected material has a high chance to be extruded through the AF injury.

METHODS

Lumbar ovine and human spinal segments were used. Under fluoroscopy, a 2-mm Kirschner wire was introduced in the caudal vertebra through the pedicle and the inferior endplate to the nucleus pulposus. Gross anatomy analysis and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) were performed to assess the right position of the wire in pedicles. Discography and nucleotomy were performed using a 14G cannula insertion or a 2-mm arthroscopic shaver blade, respectively. Nucleoplasty was also performed with agarose gel/contrast agent and imaged with HR-pQCT.

RESULTS

Gross anatomy, fluoroscopy, and HR-pQCT images showed that the nucleus pulposus could be approached through the endplate via the pedicle without affecting the spinal canal and the neural foramina. The contrast agent was delivered into the IVD and nucleus pulposus was removed from the disc and filled with agarose gel.

CONCLUSION

This study describes how a transpedicular approach can be used as an alternative route to deliver therapeutic agents to the disc without disruption of the AF showing the potential use of this technique in preclinical research and highlighting its clinical relevance for IVD regeneration.