Early surgery with antibiotic medication was effective and efficient in treating pyogenic spondylodiscitis

Cervical Pyogenic Spondylitis: A Comprehensive Review of Diagnosis and Treatment Strategy

Cervical pyogenic spondylitis (CPS) is a rare but serious spinal infection with a high risk of neurological compromise due to the cervical spine's narrow canal and proximity to critical neurovascular structures. Early diagnosis relies on a high index of suspicion supported by MRI, inflammatory markers, blood cultures, and tissue biopsy. Empirical intravenous antibiotics remain the cornerstone of initial treatment, followed by pathogen-specific therapy. Surgical intervention is indicated in cases of neurological deterioration, spinal instability, or failure of conservative management. Anterior approaches, including anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF), are widely used, with anterior plating providing biomechanical advantages in select cases. Posterior or combined anterior-posterior approaches are recommended in multilevel disease, deformity, or posterior element involvement. Graft selection-typically autograft or titanium/PEEK cages-must consider infection severity and biomechanical demands. Challenges in CPS management include optimal debridement extent, graft choice in infected environments, the standardization of antibiotic protocols, and the prevention of recurrence. This narrative review synthesizes the cervical-spine-specific literature on diagnosis, treatment strategies, surgical techniques, and postoperative care and proposes the following practical clinical guidance: (1) early MRI for timely diagnosis, (2) prompt surgical intervention in patients with neurological deficits or mechanical instability, and (3) individualized graft selection based on infection severity and bone quality.

Optimal Duration of Antibiotic Therapy for Primary Osteomyelitis Discitis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to systematically review the literature on the management of primary osteomyelitis discitis and perform a network meta-analysis comparing the efficacy of different antibiotic treatment durations.

BACKGROUND

Primary osteomyelitis discitis is a challenging condition with varying management strategies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted. Studies reporting outcomes for the treatment of primary osteomyelitis discitis were included. A random-effect network meta-analysis was performed comparing antibiotic treatment durations of <4 weeks, 4 to 8 weeks, 8 to 12 weeks, and 12 to 16 weeks. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was used to rank treatment effectiveness.

RESULTS

Sixty-three articles with 4233 patients were included. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common causative agent (57.6%). The 4 to 8-week antibiotic duration ranked highest across fixed-effect and random-effect models (SUCRA: 0.8207 and 0.8343). The 12 to 16-week duration ranked highest in the fixed-effect model (SUCRA: 0.8460) but dropped substantially in the random-effect model (SUCRA: 0.3067). The <4-week duration showed mixed results. The 8 to 12-week duration consistently ranked lowest. No statistically significant differences were found between durations for symptomatic relief.

CONCLUSION

Antibiotic therapy for 4 to 8 weeks may provide the optimal balance of efficacy and treatment duration for most patients with primary osteomyelitis discitis. However, treatment should be individualized based on clinical response. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify optimal management strategies for this complex condition.

Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in the surgical treatment of monosegmental pyogenic spondylodiscitis

OBJECTIVE

The study assessed the efficacy of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (PPSF) as a treatment approach for monosegmental pyogenic spondylodiscitis (PS), particularly in patients with compromised health conditions that reduce their ability to endure extensive surgical procedures.

METHODS

From January 2019 and December 2021, a total of 38 patients with PS who underwent PPSF at our hospital were included in the study. Clinical outcomes were assessed using physical examinations, serological tests, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, and imaging assessments.

RESULTS

The mean duration of PPSF among all patients was 73.9 ± 13.9 min, with an average intraoperative blood loss of 52.4 ± 18.4 mL. Pathogenic bacteria were identified in 17 out of 38 cases, representing a detection rate of 44.7%. The mean follow-up period was 21.3 ± 8.3 months. Postoperative assessment of inflammatory markers indicated that infections were effectively controlled in 33 patients, resulting in symptomatic improvement. However, within 2 to 4 weeks postoperatively, 5 patients required a two-stage anterior debridement-fusion following the initial internal fixation. Compared to those who underwent posterior internal fixation alone, these patients had significantly higher Spinal Instability Spondylodiscitis Scores (12.000 ± 1.000 vs. 9.030 ± 2.114, p < 0.05) and a significantly greater prevalence of preoperative epidural abscesses (80% vs. 12.1%, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

PPSF may serve as a viable option for patients with monosegmental PS, providing a minimally invasive surgical approach for patients who are unable to tolerate traditional open surgery due to compromised health or advanced age. For patients with significant spinal instability or abscess formation, a two-stage anterior debridement-fusion may be required. However, single-stage posterior internal fixation can effectively relieve pain and improve the overall condition of patients, thereby enhancing their ability to tolerate subsequent anterior surgical interventions.

Posterior fixation without debridement for pyogenic spondylodiscitis can promote infection control: initial evaluation of a pyogenic spondylodiscitis posterior fixation rat model

PURPOSE

Pyogenic spondylodiscitis is a significant health concern, particularly in older individuals. Minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as posterior fixation, are promising for infection control; however, their mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify how posterior fixation promotes infection control in an animal model.

METHODS

Thirty female Wistar rats were used to create a pyogenic spondylodiscitis model by injecting methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus into the intervertebral space between the 6th and 7th coccygeal vertebrae. Three days post-injection, rats were divided into fixation and control groups. The fixation group underwent posterior fixation with an external fixator, whereas the control group underwent screw insertion alone. Bone destruction was assessed via microcomputed tomography on postoperative days (POD) 7, 14, and 21. Immunohistochemistry for cathepsin K and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) was performed on POD 7 samples to assess osteoclast activity.

RESULTS

The fixation group showed less bone destruction than the control group at POD 14 (35% vs. 56%, p = 0.0007) and POD 21 (30% vs. 52%, p < 0.0001). The cathepsin K-positive area was significantly reduced in the fixation group (p = 0.027). RANKL expression was localized within the intervertebral disc in the fixation group, whereas RANKL was strongly expressed on the bone surface adjacent to the disc in control. The RANKL-positive area was also reduced in the fixation group (p = 0.041).

CONCLUSIONS

Our combined model of pyogenic spondylodiscitis and posterior fixation supports the theory that posterior fixation stability suppresses RANKL and osteoclast expression, promoting infection control.

Culture-Negative Native Vertebral Osteomyelitis: A Narrative Review of an Underdescribed Condition

The incidence of culture-negative NVO (CN-NVO) cases is increasing, presenting significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to the inability to isolate causative organisms with conventional microbiological methods. Factors influencing the diagnosis of CN-NVO include prior antimicrobial therapy, low pathogen burden, fastidious or intracellular organisms, technical issues, and non-infectious mimickers. Diagnosis often relies on imaging modalities like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy, though these methods can sometimes fail to yield positive microbiological results. Advanced diagnostic tools, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), and cell-free DNA analysis, may be necessary to identify the pathogen. The causative pathogen cannot be isolated in some patients, among which an empirical antimicrobial therapy should be initiated. This narrative review discusses the management, monitoring, surgical indications, and outcomes for patients with CN-NVO.

Spinal epidural abscess as predicting factor for the necessity of early surgical intervention in patients with pyogenic spondylitis

BACKGROUND

Pyogenic spondylitis is a condition with low incidence that can lead to neurological sequelae and even life-threatening conditions. While conservative methods, including antibiotics and bracing, are considered the first-line treatment option for pyogenic spondylitis, it is important to identify patients who require early surgical intervention to prevent progressive neurologic deficits or deterioration of the systemic condition. Surgical treatment should be considered in patients with progressive neurologic deficits or deteriorating systemic condition. However, currently, there is a lack of treatment guidelines, particularly with respect to whether surgical treatment is necessary for pyogenic spondylitis. This study aims to analyze the radiological epidural abscess on MRI and clinical factors to predict the need for early surgical intervention in patients with pyogenic spondylitis and provide comprehensive insight into the necessity of early surgical intervention in these patients.

METHODS

This study retrospectively reviewed 47 patients with pyogenic spondylitis including spondylodiscitis, vertebral osteomyelitis, epidural abscess, and/or psoas abscess. All patients received plain radiographs, and a gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. All patients have either tissue biopsies and/or blood cultures for the diagnosis of a pathogen. Demographic data, laboratory tests, and clinical predisposing factors including comorbidities and concurrent other infections were analyzed.

RESULTS

We analyzed 47 patients, 25 of whom were female, with a mean age of 70,7 years. MRI revealed that 26 of 47 patients had epidural abscesses. The surgical group had a significantly higher incidence of epidural abscess than the non-surgical group (p = 0.001). In addition, both CRP and initial body temperature (BT) were substantially higher in the surgical group compared to the non-surgical group. There was no significant difference between the surgical group and the non-surgical group in terms of age, gender, comorbidities, and concurrent infectious disorders, as well as the number of affected segments and affected spine levels. However, the surgical group had lengthier hospital stays and received more antibiotics.

CONCLUSION

The presence of an epidural abscess on MRI should be regarded crucial in the decision-making process for early surgical treatment in patients with pyogenic spondylitis in order to improve clinical outcomes.

Intradiscal pharmacokinetics of oral antibiotics to treat Chronic Lower Back Pain

Oral coamoxiclav and amoxicillin, for extended dose regimens of up to 100 days, have shown benefit in the treatment of Chronic Lower Back Pain (CLBP) associated with vertebral bone oedema, known as Modic type 1 changes, which may be caused by a bacterial infection, but the magnitude of clinical improvement has been variable. The objectives of this review were to use sparse data from the literature to estimate the exposure of amoxicillin in the intervertebral disc, and to determine whether adequate antimicrobial exposure may have been achieved. Exposure to amoxicillin in herniated disc tissue was approximately 6.5% of the serum concentration. Dosing of oral amoxicillin, Q12h, at doses of up to 1,000 mg is unlikely to lead to effective exposure in disc tissue. Mean exposure to 500 mg or 750 mg of oral Q8h amoxicillin may reach the efficacy target for ~50% of Cutibacterium acnes strains, but not for 90% of C. acnes strains. Mean exposure to 1,000 mg of oral amoxicillin Q8h may reach the target exposure for 90% of strains. Oral amoxicillin CLBP studies may all be underdosed. More than 1400 patients with CLBP and Modic type 1 changes have been exposed to oral amoxicillin for up to 100 days, with no apparent evaluation of systemic or intradiscal pharmacokinetics. Additional clinical evaluations of amoxicillin and alternative antibiotics, their dose regimens, and intradiscal pharmacokinetics are warranted to optimize treatment for this indication. Expertise in antibacterial pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics should be included in the design and execution of future studies.

Posterolateral full-endoscopic debridement and irrigation is effective in treating thoraco-lumbar pyogenic spondylodiscitis, except in cases with large abscess cavities

PURPOSE

To determine the efficacy and poor prognostic factors of posterolateral full-endoscopic debridement and irrigation (PEDI) surgery for thoraco-lumbar pyogenic spondylodiscitis.

METHODS

We included 64 patients (46 men, 18 women; average age: 63.7 years) with thoracic/lumbar pyogenic spondylodiscitis who had undergone PEDI treatment and were followed up for more than 2 years. Clinical outcomes after PEDI surgery were retrospectively investigated to analyze the incidence and risk factors for prolonged and recurrent infection.

RESULTS

Of 64 patients, 53 (82.8%) were cured of infection after PEDI surgery, and nine (17.2%) had prolonged or recurrent infection. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that significant risk factors for poor prognosis included a large intervertebral abscess cavity (P = 0.02) and multilevel intervertebral infections (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

PEDI treatment is an effective, minimally invasive procedure for pyogenic spondylodiscitis. However, a large intervertebral abscess space could cause instability at the infected spinal column, leading to prolonged or recurrent infection after PEDI. In cases with a large abscess cavity with or without vertebral bone destruction, endoscopic drainage alone may have a poor prognosis, and spinal fixation surgery could be considered.

Comparative Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Sacral-2-Alar Iliac Screw Versus Iliac Screw in the Lumbosacral Reconstruction of Spondylodiscitis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of S2-alar-iliac (S2AI) and iliac screw (IS) techniques in treating lumbosacral spondylodiscitis.

METHODS

Between January 2020 and January 2022, 28 patients suffering from lumbosacral spondylodiscitis underwent lumbosacral fixation and were divided into the IS group (14 patients) and the S2AI group (14 patients). Surgical details, demographic characteristics, preoperative and postoperative Oswestry Disability Index, visual analog scale, and complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients were included in this study, including 14 patients treated with IS and 14 patients treated with S2AI. The 2 groups were similar in sex, age, follow-up period, total drainage volume, hospitalization stay, and fusion time. (P > 0.05) The estimated blood loss and surgical time of S2AI during surgery were significantly lower than those of IS. (P < 0.05) The visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores significantly improved in both groups from preoperative to the last follow-up. Sacroiliac joint pain was found in both groups in the follow-up period, but the incidence was not significantly different (P = 0.663). Compared with the IS approach, the incidence of symptomatic screw prominence was lower in the S2AI group, but the difference was not significant. (P = 0.088).

CONCLUSIONS

S2AI, as well as IS techniques, can achieve promising results for reconstructing lumbosacral stability in spondylodiscitis. In addition, the S2AI technique can also reduce surgical trauma and operation time.

Acute Lumbar Pyogenic Spondylitis With Multiple Abscesses Complicated by a Septic Shock That Required Emergency Surgical Open Drainage: A Case Report

We treated a patient with pyogenic spondylitis complicated by septic shock, who was saved by emergency surgery. The patient was a 75-year-old man with back pain, fever, and weakness in the lower limbs four days before. Upon admission to our hospital, he had tachycardia, tachypnea, fever, and fluctuating vital signs. His quick sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score was 2. Emergent magnetic resonance imaging showed scattered intramuscular abscesses and an epidural abscess. Gram-positive cocci were detected in a blood sample. He was diagnosed with pyogenic spondylitis complicated by sepsis. Intravenous antimicrobial therapy with cefepime, vancomycin, and clindamycin was added. However, he developed tachycardia and hypotension three hours after arrival at our hospital, so he received a blood transfusion and noradrenaline and underwent emergent surgical open drainage since percutaneous drainage was difficult to perform because of scattered abscesses. Paralysis of the proximal lower extremities was recovered after surgery. Postoperatively, the causative organism was found to be methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and intravenous antimicrobial therapy for 81 days. Three years after surgery, the patient remains free of recurrence with improvement in the activity of daily living to the extent that he could walk. The outcome of our patient suggests that surgery may be a lifesaving measure in cases whose uncontrollable vital signs by pyogenic spondylitis are complicated by sepsis. Preoperative judgment is extremely important in difficult-to-control cases because surgical invasion can be lethal.

Early switch to oral antibiotic therapy for the treatment of patients with bacterial native vertebral osteomyelitis: a quaternary center experience, systematic review, and meta-analysis

Abstract. Recent data suggest that oral therapy can be effective for bone infections. We aim to assess the efficacy of an early switch to oral therapy (<2 weeks) compared to a non-early switch in bacterial native vertebral osteomyelitis. We conducted a cohort study at Mayo Clinic, Rochester (MN), between 2019–2021 combined with a systematic review, which queried multiple databases. Data were analyzed using a random-effects model. The cohort study included 139 patients: two received an early switch. Of 3708 citations, 13 studies were included in the final analysis. Meta-analysis demonstrated no difference in treatment failure (odds ratio = 1.073, 95 % confidence interval 0.370–3.116), but many studies presented high risk of bias. Current evidence is insufficient to conclude the proportion of patients with failure or relapse is different in the two groups. High-quality studies are warranted before early switch can be routinely recommended.

Minimally Invasive Spine Stabilization for Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis: A 23-Case Series and Review of Literature

Background and Objectives: The incidence of pyogenic spondylodiscitis has been increasing due to the aging of the population. Although surgical treatment is performed for refractory pyogenic spondylodiscitis, surgical invasiveness should be considered. Recent minimally invasive spine stabilization (MISt) using percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) can be a less invasive approach. The purpose of this study was to evaluate surgical results and clinical outcomes after MISt with PPS for pyogenic spondylodiscitis. Materials and Methods: Clinical data of patients who underwent MISt with PPS for pyogenic spondylitis were analyzed. Results: Twenty-three patients (18 male, 5 female, mean age 67.0 years) were retrospectively enrolled. The mean follow-up period was 15.9 months after surgery. The causative organism was identified in 16 cases (69.6%). A mean number of fixed vertebrae was 4.1, and the estimated blood loss was 145.0 mL. MISt with PPS was successfully performed in 19 of 23 patients (82.6%). Four cases (17.4%) required additional anterior debridement and autologous iliac bone graft placement. CRP levels had become negative at an average of 28.4 days after surgery. There was no major perioperative complication and no screw or rod breakages during follow-up. Conclusions: MISt with PPS would be a less invasive approach for pyogenic spondylodiscitis in elderly or immunocompromised patients.

Neurosurgical Management and Outcome Parameters in 237 Patients with Spondylodiscitis

Surgical treatment of spondylodiscitis allows for rapid mobilization and shortens hospital stays, which makes surgical treatment the first-line therapy. We aim to describe our experiences with operative treatment on spondylodiscitis and to determine the parameters that are important in the prediction of outcomes. A retrospective review identified 237 patients who were operatively treated for spondylodiscitis in our institution between January 2010 and December 2018. Clinical data were collected through review of electronic records and relevant imaging. In all cases, contrast-enhancing MRI from the infected region of the spine was obtained. Leukocyte count and C-reactive protein concentrations (CRP) were determined in all the patients. We included 237 patients in the study, 87 female (36.7%) and 150 male (63.3%), with a mean age of 71.4 years. Mean follow-up was 31.6 months. Forty-five patients had spondylodiscitis of the cervical, 73 of the thoracic, and 119 of the lumbosacral spine. All the patients with spondylodiscitis of the cervical spine received instrumentation. In thoracic and lumbar spine decompression, surgery without instrumentation was performed in 26 patients as immediate surgery and in a further 28 patients in the early stages following admission, while 138 patients received instrumentation. Eighty-nine patients (37.6%) had concomitant infections. Infection healing occurred in 89% of patients. Favorable outcomes were noted in patients without concomitant infections, with a normalized CRP value and in patients who received antibiotic therapy for more than six weeks (p < 0.05). Unfavorable outcomes were noted in patients with high CRP, postoperative spondylodiscitis, and recurrent spondylodiscitis (p < 0.05). Application of antibiotic therapy for more than six weeks and normalized CRP showed a correlation with favorable outcomes, whereas concomitant infections showed a correlation with unfavorable outcomes. A detailed screening for concomitant infectious diseases is recommended.

Spondylodiscitis in Children: A Retrospective Study and Comparison With Non-vertebral Osteomyelitis

Objectives: The aim of this study is to provide new data on pediatrics spondylodiscitis for an optimal clinical management of this site-specific osteomyelitis. Methods: We reported 48 cases of pediatric spondylodiscitis and made three comparisons between: (1) tubercular and non-tubercular cases; (2) patients aged more or less than 5 years; (3) children with spondylodiscitis and 62 controls with non-vertebral osteomyelitis. Results: A higher rate of sequelae was reported in patients with tubercular spondylodiscitis, but no significant differences were noted at the cut-off of 5 years of age. Compared to non-vertebral osteomyelitis, pediatric spondylodiscitis affects younger children of both genders, usually presenting with afebrile back pain, and requiring longer time to admission, hospitalization, and antibiotic therapy. Conclusion: Pediatric spondylodiscitis is an insidious disease with a non-specific presentation in childhood and peculiarities of its own. However, when clinical remission is obtained by an early start of broad-spectrum antibiotics, prolonging the therapy does not improve, nor worsens, the outcome. Surgical management is mandatory in case of vertebral instability and neurological signs but can be avoided when the infection is promptly treated with antibiotic therapy.