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

Medical versus surgical treatment of spondylodiscitis: does surgery spare resources?

The optimal management of spondylodiscitis is still controversial. Large spectrum or targeted antibiotic therapy is the first option in neurologically intact patients, while surgery is reserved for cases of intractable pain, acute neurological defects and bone destruction-related spinal instability. Treatment failure due to lack of diagnosis may lead to infection persistence and progression, causing patients to shift from the medical to the surgical arm. In a 10 years' time, we treated 84 patients affected by primary spontaneous pyogenic spondylodiscitis. Forty-two patients underwent antibiotic therapy alone, 42 posterior fixation/decompression and disc debridement. At admission, we assessed all patients for neurological deficits and pain intensity, using appropriate imaging to rule out instability/neural compression. We compared the two groups in terms of pain control, mobilization, length of hospital stay, antibiotic therapy, and complications. Patients undergoing surgical treatment presented significantly shorter hospital stay, earlier and better pain control, faster mobilization from bed, shorter use of brace and shorter antibiotic therapy courses. No major complications occurred in both groups, while one revision was performed due to wound failure. In agreement with our results, posterior vertebral decompression and fixation should be considered a viable option in cases of spondylodiscitis with severe pain and/or neurological impairment. The operated patients fared clinically well (despite starting from worse clinical conditions than their medical counterparts) and the complication rate was negligible.

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.

Biomechanical analysis of stabilization for thoracolumbar anterior spinal failure caused by osteolytic lesions, a finite element comparison of direct lateral corpectomy and posterior long segment instrumentation

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Osteolytic lesions caused by infection or metastatic disease of the spine can induce instability. Different surgical strategies are available to restore stability in this scenario, however little is known how various reconstruction techniques affect spinal biomechanics.

PURPOSE

To analyze and quantify the biomechanical effects of three different surgical reconstruction techniques in the treatment of a T12 osteolytic model.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

Finite element analysis of the thoracic spine with a T12 osteolytic lesion.

METHODS

Using CT scans from a 20-year-old man without structural deformity, simulation of an osteolytic lesion with a 50% defect at the posterior aspect of T12 vertebral body was created by a 490 N vertical force to T9. Next, three common instrumentation techniques treating the osteolytic lesion were modeled and biomechanically tested. These included: Model A, corpectomy with short segment fixation (T11-L1) and two long-segment instrumentations; Model B long segment fixation with triple rod construct; Model C long segment fixation with dual rod construct. A load of 480N was then applied on the spine models in vertically downward direction on T9. Von Mises stresses were measured (MPa) in the discs, vertebrae, and implants.

RESULTS

Model A demonstrated the lowest stress on construct material, adjacent vertebral bodies, and discs but increased stress on the instrumented vertebrae. Model B was more rigid and demonstrated lower construct stress compared to Model C. However, Model C had the lowest vertebral body stress in flexion, extension, and lateral bending in the most upper instrumented vertebral body, but the highest screw pull-out stress when compared to Model A and Model B.

CONCLUSIONS

This osteolytic T12 model provides unique biomechanical data that can help to tailor surgical strategies in select scenarios. While optimal outcomes are best achieved with a construct tailored to a specific patient's need for stabilization, our findings can be generalized for instances of cancerous lesions, low bone density, and infectious causes.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The results of this study can help with the choice of appropriate surgical reconstruction technique based on patient-specific characteristics.

Minimally Invasive versus Traditional Surgery: Efficacy of PELD and PLIF in Treating Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis

BACKGROUND Pyogenic spondylodiscitis is infection of the intervertebral disc or discs and the adjacent vertebrae. This retrospective study aimed to compare the effectiveness of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar debridement (PELD) versus posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) in 40 patients with pyogenic spondylodiscitis (PSD). MATERIAL AND METHODS Medical records of patients who underwent PELD (n=18) or PLIF (n=22) for PSD between 2018 and 2023 were reviewed. The recorded outcomes encompassed surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) measurements, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) assessments, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, duration of hospitalization, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading, lumbar sagittal parameters, and the incidence of complications. RESULTS The PELD group had shorter surgical duration, less intraoperative blood loss, and shorter length of hospital stay compared to the PLIF group (P<0.01). At the last follow-up, both groups had significant improvement in ESR, CRP levels, and ASIA classification (P<0.001), but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups (P>0.05). The PELD group had lower ODI and VAS ratings at 1 month and 3 months, respectively (P<0.01). The PLIF group had significant improvements in intervertebral space height and lumbar lordosis angle (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Both PLIF and PELD surgical approaches demonstrate adequate clinical efficacy in the treatment of monosegmental PSD. PLIF can better ensure more spinal stability than PELD, but PELD offers advantages such as reduced minimal surgical trauma, shorter operative duration, and faster recovery after surgery.

Two-Stage Cervical and Thoracic-Lumbar-Sacral Circumferential Fixation for Pyogenic Spondylitis: A Case Report

Pyogenic spondylitis is a rare life-threatening condition. Conservative treatment with antibiotics is indicated; however, surgery can be considered in refractory cases. The surgical strategy varies, as pyogenic spondylosis can occur from the cervical to sacral regions. To our knowledge, although there is less invasiveness as an advantage in the following management, cervical and thoracic-lumbar-sacral circumferential fixations in two sessions for pyogenic spondylitis have not been previously described. An 84-year-old man complained of ambulation disturbances and pain in the neck and upper and lower extremities (the Japan Orthopaedic Association cervical myelopathy evaluation questionnaire score of 5/17). Magnetic resonance imaging revealed pyogenic spondylitis of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions. Epidural abscesses and spondylodiscitis were concurrently diagnosed with multi-level skipping lesions from the cervical to the sacral regions. As these lesions were resistant to antibiotic treatment and the neurological symptoms worsened, surgical treatment was planned. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, and posterior cervical fixation were followed by oblique and posterior lumbar intervertebral fusions with long-level fixation from T12 to the ilium using percutaneous pedicle screws. The surgeries were performed in two sessions to avoid the invasiveness of surgeries in a single session. The patient's condition improved after a second surgery. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 116. No recurrence was observed for six months, and the patient was able to ambulate independently. Two-stage cervical and thoracic-lumbar-sacral circumferential fixation for pyogenic spondylitis contributed to a favorable outcome (the Japan Orthopaedic Association cervical myelopathy evaluation questionnaire score of 13/17).