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The Kurume Medical Journal Sep 2019Although pyogenic spondylitis is an infrequent infection, its incidence is increasing because of the growing number of elderly people and immunocompromised patients.... (Review)
Review
Although pyogenic spondylitis is an infrequent infection, its incidence is increasing because of the growing number of elderly people and immunocompromised patients. Diagnosis is often difficult and appropriate imaging, blood cultures and/or biopsy are essential in making an early diagnosis. Most of the cases can be treated non-operatively. Surgical treatment is indicated in patients with spinal cord or cauda equine compression with progressive neurological deficits and/or patients who have failed conservative treatment. Early and accurate diagnosis of pyogenic spondylitis is important for timely and effective management, in order to reduce the occurrence of spinal deformity and dysfunction.
Topics: Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Spondylitis
PubMed: 31406038
DOI: 10.2739/kurumemedj.MS653001 -
Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira de... 2023
Topics: Adult; Humans; Discitis; Streptococcus agalactiae
PubMed: 36820662
DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0479-2022 -
British Journal of Hospital Medicine... Jan 2023Vertebral osteomyelitis is a condition that predominantly affects older men with chronic comorbidities, such as diabetes, renal and hepatic failure, or... (Review)
Review
Vertebral osteomyelitis is a condition that predominantly affects older men with chronic comorbidities, such as diabetes, renal and hepatic failure, or immunosuppression. Symptoms develop insidiously and a high index of suspicion is required to diagnose the condition; this is achieved through serological testing and imaging. The mainstay of treatment is long-term antibiotic therapy, lasting a minimum of 6 weeks; however, surgical debridement with stabilisation is required when conservative treatment is proving ineffective and infection progresses. It is critically important that sufficient treatment is provided for those experiencing vertebral osteomyelitis, as not doing so could lead to severe neurological compromise and death.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adult; Aged; Discitis; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Osteomyelitis
PubMed: 36708343
DOI: 10.12968/hmed.2022.0362 -
Der Radiologe Mar 2021Spondylodiscitis is an inflammation of the intervertebral disc, which in adults is generally associated with spondylitis of the adjacent vertebrae. It often presents... (Review)
Review
CLINICAL/METHODOLOGICAL PROBLEM
Spondylodiscitis is an inflammation of the intervertebral disc, which in adults is generally associated with spondylitis of the adjacent vertebrae. It often presents clinically with nonspecific symptoms such as back or neck pain. It may be caused by various pathogens, especially bacteria. One or more vertebral segments can be affected. The infection can spread to surrounding compartments and can lead to epidural abscesses. Radiology, in particular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), plays an important role in the diagnostic work-up and in the follow-up to monitor response to therapy. Treatment consists of conservative (antibiotics) and invasive approaches, including surgery. Interventional puncture and drainage is a promising alternative to surgery, especially in early stages of abscess formation.
STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), nuclear medical procedures, conventional x‑ray.
PERFORMANCE
MRI has the highest value. CT and nuclear medical procedures can be used as a supplement to MRI and in patients with contraindications for MRI.
PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS
With adequate diagnosis and therapy, spondylodiscitis has a good prognosis. In addition to targeted or calculated drug therapy, invasive treatment is the main focus, especially for epidural abscesses. Interventional radiological drainage can represent a less invasive alternative to surgical treatment.
Topics: Discitis; Epidural Abscess; Humans; Intervertebral Disc; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 33570680
DOI: 10.1007/s00117-021-00814-6 -
EFORT Open Reviews Jan 2021In the last five years, surgeons have applied endoscopic transforaminal surgical techniques mastered in the lumbar spine to the treatment of thoracic pathology.The aim... (Review)
Review
In the last five years, surgeons have applied endoscopic transforaminal surgical techniques mastered in the lumbar spine to the treatment of thoracic pathology.The aim of this systematic review was to collate the available literature to determine the place and efficacy of full endoscopic approaches used in the treatment of thoracic disc prolapse and stenosis.An electronic literature search of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane database and Google Scholar was performed as suggested by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis statements. Included were any full-text articles referring to full endoscopic thoracic surgical procedures in any language.We identified 17 patient series, one cohort study and 13 case reports with single or of up to three patients.Although the majority included disc pathology, 11 papers related cord compression in a proportion of cases to ossification of the ligamentum flavum or posterior longitudinal ligament. Two studies described the treatment of discitis and one reported the use of endoscopy for tumour resection.Where reported, excellent or good outcomes were achieved for full endoscopic procedures in a mean of 81% of patients (range 46-100%) with a complication rate of 8% (range 0-15%), comparing favourably with rates reported after open discectomy (anterior, posterolateral and thoracoscopic) or by endoscopic tubular assisted approaches. Twenty-one of the 31 author groups reported use of local anaesthesia plus sedation rather than general anaesthesia, providing 'self-neuromonitoring' by allowing patients to respond to cord and/or nerve stimuli. Cite this article: 2021;6:50-60. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200080.
PubMed: 33532086
DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200080 -
Journal of Children's Orthopaedics Dec 2023The growing spine differs from the adult spine in several ways. Although tumors and infections cause only a small percentage of pediatric back pain incidences, delayed... (Review)
Review
The growing spine differs from the adult spine in several ways. Although tumors and infections cause only a small percentage of pediatric back pain incidences, delayed proper diagnosis and treatment may be disastrous. Benign lesions, such as osteoid osteoma, osteoblastoma, and aneurysmal bone cyst in the spine, are predominant during the first two decades of life, whereas malignant bony spinal tumors are rare. In the pediatric population, malignant spine tumors include osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, lymphoma, and metastatic neuroblastoma. Infections of the growing spine are rare, with the incidence of discitis peaking in patients under the age of 5 years and that of vertebral osteomyelitis peaking in older children. Spondylodiscitis is often a benign, self-limiting condition with low potential for bone destruction. Conservative treatments, including bedrest, immobilization, and antibiotics, are usually sufficient. Spinal tuberculosis is a frequently observed form of skeletal tuberculosis, especially in developing countries. Indications for surgical treatment include neurologic deficit, spinal instability, progressive kyphosis, late-onset paraplegia, and advanced disease unresponsive to nonoperative treatment. Spinal tumors and infections should be considered potential diagnoses in cases with spinal pain unrelated to the child's activity, accompanied by fever, malaise, and weight loss. In spinal tumors, early diagnosis, fast and adequate multidisciplinary management, appropriate en bloc resection, and reconstruction improve local control, survival, and quality of life. Pyogenic, hematogenous spondylodiscitis is the most common spinal infection; however, tuberculosis-induced spondylodiscitis should also be considered. level 4.
PubMed: 38050596
DOI: 10.1177/18632521231215857 -
Cureus Jul 2021The management of pediatric spine infections requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes orthopedic surgeons, infectious disease specialists, interventional... (Review)
Review
The management of pediatric spine infections requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes orthopedic surgeons, infectious disease specialists, interventional radiologists, and others. The prevalence of the disease has increased in frequency, virulence, and degree of soft tissue involvement over the past several years; there has also been a resurgence of some types of infections, such as tuberculosis, fungal, and viral pathogens. The diagnosis can often be reached with a detailed history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. Pathologies mimicking infection require a more invasive approach for diagnosis, including core or open biopsy. The treatment of discitis, spondylodiscitis, vertebral osteomyelitis, spinal epidural, and intramedullary abscesses in children is at times complex, and although many infections can be treated non-surgically with antibiotic therapy, some more extensive infections require surgical management. A timely diagnosis is important as it allows the initiation of the appropriate antimicrobial therapy and would decrease the complexity of the subsequent surgical intervention.
PubMed: 34345570
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.16748