Tuberculous Spondylodiscitis Research Articles

Computed Tomography-Guided Vertebral Biopsy in Suspected Tuberculous Spondylodiscitis: Comparing a New Navigational Tram-Track Technique versus Conventional Method

Abstract Introduction Computed tomography (CT)-guided vertebral biopsy is always recommended for histopathological and microbiological confirmation in cases of tuberculous spondylodiscitis and for antimycobacterial drug sensitivity testing. Aim To compare the conventional technique and a novel axis-defined tram-track technique of CT-guided vertebral biopsy in suspected tuberculous spondylodiscitis. Materials and Methods Sixty-seven patients of clinico-radiologically suspected tuberculous spondylodiscitis referred for CT-guided vertebral biopsy were categorized into two groups: “Group A” patients (n = 32) underwent biopsy by conventional technique, and “Group B” patients (n = 35) by axis-defined tram-track technique. The time taken for procedure, radiation exposure, and any procedural complications were recorded for both the groups. Results A statistically significant difference in procedure time and mean radiation dose was observed between the two groups: a longer procedural time was required in “Group A” (52.5 ± 3.5 minutes) as compared to “Group B” (37.3 ± 3.6 minutes) (p < 0.0001); and mean radiation dose (CTDIvol) in “Group A” and “Group B” was 8.64 ± 1.06 mGy and 5.73 ± 0.71 mGy, respectively (p < 0.0001). However, the difference in complication rate and tissue yield for successful diagnosis of the biopsies in the two groups was found to be statistically insignificant. Conclusion Axis-defined tram-track technique was found to have a significantly shorter procedural time as well as lower radiation exposure compared to the conventional technique of vertebral biopsy in our study.

Tuberculous and Brucellar Spondylodiscitis: Comparative Analysis of Clinical, Laboratory, and Radiological Features.

Study DesignThis was a retrospective study.PurposeThe aim was to compare the clinical, laboratory, radiological, and evolutionary features of tuberculous spondylodiscitis (TS) and brucellar spondylodiscitis (BS).Overview of LiteratureClinical presentation of spondylodiscitis varies according to the underlying etiology, among which brucellosis and tuberculosis represent the primary cause, in endemic countries. Only a few studies have compared the characteristics between TS and BS.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted using the data of all patients hospitalized for TS and BS in the infectious diseases department between 1991 and 2018.ResultsAmong a total of 117 patients, 73 had TS (62.4%) and 44 had BS (37.6%). Females were significantly more affected with TS than males (56.2% vs. 22.7%, p<0.001). Fever (72.7% vs. 45.2%, p=0.004) and sweating (72.7% vs. 47.9%, p=0.009) were significantly more frequent among patients with BS. The median erythrocyte sedimentation rate was significantly higher in the TS group (median, 70 mm/hr; interquartile range [IQR], 45–103 mm/hr) than in the BS group (median, 50 mm/hr; IQR, 16–75 mm/hr) (p=0.003). Thoracic involvement was significantly more frequent in the TS group (53.4% vs. 34.1%, p=0.04), whereas lumbar involvement was significantly more frequent in the BS group (72.7% vs. 49.3%, p=0.01). Initial imaging findings revealed significantly higher frequencies of posterior vertebral arch involvement, vertebral compaction, and spinal cord compression in the TS group. Percutaneous abscess drainage (20.5% vs. 2.3%, p=0.005) and surgical treatment (17.8% vs. 2.3%, p=0.01) were more frequently indicated in the TS group, with a significant difference.ConclusionsA combination of clinical, laboratory, and radiological features can be used to distinguish between TS and BS while these patients await diagnosis confirmation.

Functional Outcomes in Spinal Tuberculosis: A Review of the Literature.

Spinal tuberculosis often leads to neurological deficit and subsequent deterioration in functional outcomes. This review assesses the recent evidence on functional outcomes in spinal tuberculosis, highlighting functional recovery, assessment tools for functional measures, and associative factors for functional recovery. Using PubMed, a literature search was done using the terms “spinal tuberculosis,” “tuberculous spondylitis,” “tuberculous spondylodiscitis,” and “functional outcome” for original articles published between January 2010 and December 2019. A total of 191 search results were found. Detailed screening showed that 19 articles met the eligibility criteria: 13 of these focused on surgical methods, four on conservative management, and two on rehabilitation approaches. The outcome measures used for functional assessment were the Oswestry Disability Index (11 articles), Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (n=3), modified Barthel Index (n=2), Functional Independence Measure (n=2), and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (n=1). Functional outcome was mainly affected by pain, spinal cord compression, and inpatient rehabilitation. No significant difference in functional outcome was found between conservative management and surgery for cases with uncomplicated spinal tuberculosis. Most studies focused on surgery as the mode of treatment and used pain-related functional measures; however, these assessed functional limitations secondary to pain, and not neurological deficits. Further studies may consider examining functional outcomes in spinal tuberculosis by utilizing spinal cord-specific functional outcome measures, to evaluate outcome measures as a prognostic tool, and to measure functional outcomes from specific rehabilitation interventions.

“Neuroimaging in ethambutol induced optic neuropathy: MRI in time can save the vision”

Ethambutol is an integral part of Antitubercular therapy (ATT) and is often associated with optic neuropathy, However, neuroimaging of ethambutol induced optic neuropathy has been sparsely reported in the literature. We describe the case of a 45-year male patient, diagnosed as Tuberculous spondylodiscitis and was on ATT. Four months after ATT initiation, he presented with visual blurring in both the eyes with bitemporal hemianopia and central scotomas. Visual evoked potential (VEP) revealed prolonged latencies in N75 and P100 waveforms bilaterally. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed optic chiasma and bilateral optic tract hyperintensities on 3D Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) and 3D Double Inversion Recovery (DIR) sequences. Ethambutol was discontinued immediately. On follow-up after 8 weeks, visual acuity reversed back to normal in both eyes.

Tuberculous Spondylodiscitis – Characteristic Features with MR Imaging

Tuberculous Spondylodiscitis – Characteristic Features with MR Imaging

Uncorrect diagnosis of tubercolar spondylodiscitis in aggressive and bone destructive metastasis of melanoma: A case report and literature review.

Differential diagnosis of destructive osteolytic spinal lesions can be a diagnostic challenge. In this study, we described a rare case of spinal metastases from primary desmoplastic melanoma which had incorrectly been diagnosed and treated as tuberculous spondylodiscitis. An 82-year-old male patient with ongoing low back pain and a history of lumbar localized Pott’s performed a lumbar spine MRI that showed osteolytic lesion with first hypothesis of spondylodiscitis L2-L3. The patient was hospitalized and cause of worsening of the lumbar pain underwent a following series of non-diagnostic CT-guided and open lumbar biopsy at L2-L3 with unsuccessful antibiotic-antitubercular therapy. A new MRI revealed a worsening of previous lesions, extension of the osteolytic lesion at the level of L1-L2 and L3-L4 with neurological impairment. The diagnosis of metastatic melanoma was obtained with surgical decompression and open posterior biopsy procedure. The case described is pathognomonic of the difficulty in detecting the correct diagnosis in front of similar clinical and radiological manifestations. The presence of a previous Pott’s disease in the same involved vertebral site was of crucial importance in deflecting the correct diagnostic classification of the pathology, which was possible to ascertain only following an extensive biopsy sampling in the last surgery performed.

Anterior Approach to the Thoracic and Thoracolumbar Spine: A Prospective Study in Our Hospital

Background Data: Anterior approaches to the thoracic and thoracolumbar spine have several advantages including direct access to the lesion, less surgical bleeding, low risk of infection, and shorter segment fixation devices. It provides excellent visualization and access to the anterior thoracic spine, vertebral bodies, intervertebral disks, spinal canal, and nerve roots and may improve neurological outcome. Purpose: To evaluate various outcome parameters of the anterior approach to the thoracolumbar spine of various pathologies. Study Design: Prospective clinical case study. Patients and Methods: Thirty patients were included in this study. Patients with infections, malignancy, and trauma were included, while patients with medical comorbidities, extensive several spinal levels disease, posterior tension band injury and translational or rotational injury, and severe osteopenia or osteoporosis were excluded. The evaluation included the demographic data, clinical features, level of injury, and neurological status of these patients. All patients underwent operation through the anterior thoracolumbar approach. Outcome parameters included preoperative and perioperative data and postoperative ASIA, VAS, SCIM, and ODI. Results: The age of patients was 46.06±12.2 (range, 20–70) years. Twenty patients were males and 10 were females. Most patients were 41–50 and >50 years. Thirteen patients (43%) suffered from traumatic fractures (M:F 3.3:1), 14 (47%) tuberculous spondylodiscitis (M:F 1.8:1), and 3 (10%) metastatic compression fracture. Surgical time was 213.12 and 201.43 minutes in Rt and Lt side approach, respectively, while blood loss was 609.4 and 650 ml in Rt and Lt side approach, respectively. In the whole group, pre- and postoperative sensory ASIA score was 91.53 and 105.8; motor ASIA score was 66.2 and 77.13; VAS was 5.13 and 0.63; SCIM was 30.93 and 76.13; ODI was 74 and 16.53, respectively. Complications included wound infection (N=3), kyphosis (N=3), intraoperative vascular injury (N=2), new neurological deficit (N=2), and myocardial infarction (N=1). Conclusion: Anterolateral approach in thoracic and thoracolumbar pathologies achieves adequate decompression, pathological evaluation for tissue, the possibility for instrumentation, and favorable neurological outcome. The familiarity and experience of the surgeon with the approach will always remain a cornerstone for the success of the procedure. (2020ESJ204)

Short-term outcome of lamina-sparing decompression in thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis.

The authors sought to assess the outcomes of lamina-sparing decompression using a posterior-only approach in patients with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis (TB). In patients with spinal TB with paraplegia, anterior decompression yields excellent results because it allows direct access to the diseased part of the vertebra, but the anterior approach has related morbidities. Posterior and posterolateral decompression mitigate approach-related morbidities; however, these approaches destabilize the already diseased segment. Lamina-sparing decompression through a posterior-only approach is a modification of posterolateral and anterolateral decompression that allows simultaneous decompression and instrumentation while preserving the posterior healthy bony structure as much as possible. Thirty-five patients with spinal TB underwent lamina-sparing decompression and instrumentation. Outcomes were determined by using a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for functional assessment, the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment grade for neurological assessment, blood loss and duration of surgery for surgical outcome assessment, and Cobb angles to measure kyphosis correction. In total, 35 patients (12 men and 23 women) with an average age of 35.8 ± 18.7 (range 4-69) years underwent lamina-sparing decompression. Eight patients had dorsal, 7 had dorsolumbar, 7 had lumbar, 9 had multifocal contiguous, and 4 patients had multifocal noncontiguous spinal TB; 33 patients had paradiscal Pott's spine (tuberculous spondylodiscitis), and 2 had central-type disease. The average preoperative Cobb angle was 28.4° ± 14.9° (range 0°-60°) and the postoperative Cobb angle was 16.3° ± 11.3° (44° to -15°). There was loss of 1.6° ± 1.5° (0°-5°) during 16 months of follow-up. Average blood loss was 526 ± 316 (range 130-1200) ml. Duration of surgery was 228 ± 79.14 (range 60-320) minutes. Level of vertebral instrumentation on average was 0.97 ± 0.8 (range 0-4) vertebra proximal and 1.25 ± 0.75 (0-3) distal to the diseased segment. Neurological recovery during the immediate postoperative period occurred in 23 of 27 patients (85.1%). All patients had recovered at the final follow-up at 16 months. The preoperative ODI score improved from 76.4 ± 17.9 (range 32-100) to 6.74 ± 17.2 (0-60) at 16 months. The preoperative VAS score improved from 7.48 ± 1.16 (6-10) to 0.47 ± 1.94 (0-8). Surgical site infection occurred in 2 patients, and 1 patient had an intraoperative dural tear that was successfully repaired. One patient developed implant loosening at 3 months, which was managed by extended instrumentation. To achieve stability, lamina-sparing decompression allows fixation of lower numbers of vertebrae proximal and distal to the diseased segment. This method has a fair outcome in terms of kyphosis correction, good functional and neurological recovery, shorter surgical duration than conventional methods, and less blood loss.

The Spine Crasher: A Challenging Diagnosis

Introduction: Spinal tuberculosis in children is an established preventable disease in developing countries. Complications are devastating due to its aptitude to cause bone destruction, spinal deformity and paraplegia. Case report: We present an eight-month old girl with isolated gross motor regression and evolving spastic paraplegia. It highlights the challenge we encountered due to delay in garnering the pertinent investigation. She presented to clinic with history of legs weakness and loss of rolling after a period of prolonged febrile illness. Both parents are medical practitioners. Mother had history of SVT during pregnancy in spite on anti-arrhythmic treatments. Her father is a thalassaemia carrier. A thorough examination revealed gross motor delay and upper motor neuron signs. She had raised inflammatory markers, anaemia and thrombocytosis with persistent low-grade temperature. CT brain with contrast showed meningeal enhancement. Full septic work up revealed the CSF result reflecting partially treated meningitis. She was treated with third generation cephalosporin and acyclovir. Mother claimed exposure to TB patients hence Mantoux test was recommended which came positive. Her chest x-ray, sputum culture, CSF culture and NAA studies came non-conclusive for pulmonary tuberculosis. MRI for brain and spine showed features of tuberculous spondylodiscitis of T4-T5 vertebrae with associated subligamentous paravertebral spread and epidural extension causing spinal cord compression and T3-T6 hydro-syringomyelia. After multidisciplinary team discussion, patient started on intensive antituberculosis regimen with good initial response. Discussion: Clinically lower limbs power improved with good antigravity movement. Laboratory and radiological investigations have improved inflammatory markers and dropping trend thrombocytosis, and spinal gibbous stay stationary with improvement in plain radiology. She is under regular follow up awaiting serial MRI. Conclusion: The challenge in diagnosis of extra pulmonary tuberculosis in infants is getting them excluded early. High index of suspicion along with radiological investigation is vital to aid the diagnosis and establishment of treatment to expect a good outcome.

Infective Spondylodiscitis: A Comparative Analysis of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings with Etiology

Introduction: Spondylodiscitis in the Indian population is mostly tubercular and pyogenic. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently most suited for radiological evaluation of the spine in patients with suspected vertebral osteomyelitis. Histology is highly sensitive in detecting the presence or absence of spondylodiscitis but fails in addressing the causative organism. The identification of organism is mainly through microbiological methods such as culture and tuberculosis (TB) polymerase chain reaction. The use of both pathologic examination and culture of the specimen along with imaging findings is paramount in establishing the diagnosis. Methodology: We performed prospective analysis of MR images obtained from patients with suspected spondylodiscitis who have undergone spinal biopsy for confirmation of diagnosis. T2- and T1-weighted images with and without contrast enhancement were subjected to assessment in coronal, axial, and sagittal planes. The sample obtained from biopsy was sent for microbiological and pathological analyses. Based on the final results, MRI findings and histopathological findings were correlated. Results: Out of 45 studied cases, 35 were confirmed to be infective spondylodiscitis, 5 were degenerative disc disease, 1 lymphoma, and 4 metastatic disease of the spine. Out of 35 confirmed cases, 17 (48.6%) were caused by TB and 18 (51.4%) by pyogenic organisms. The sensitivity and specificity of MRI for correctly diagnosing tuberculous spondylodiscitis were 70.6% and 77.8%, respectively, whereas the sensitivity and specificity of MRI for correctly diagnosing pyogenic spondylodiscitis were 44.4% and 85.2%, respectively. The statistically significant features specific for tuberculous spondylodiscitis for MRI were thin and smooth abscess wall, involvement of >2 vertebral bodies (52.9% in tuberculous vs. 44.4% in pyogenic), skip lesions (23.5% in tuberculous vs. 0% in pyogenic), and cold abscess (17.6% in tuberculous vs. 0% in pyogenic). Conclusion: It has been found that MRI is highly sensitive in detecting infective spondylodiscitis and has been widely accepted as the imaging modality of choice for the same. Although many imaging features have been identified to differentiate pyogenic and tuberculous etiologies, due to overlapping of these features, the sensitivity of MRI to conclusively diagnose the etiology needs further studies.

Differentiation between Tuberculous and Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis: The Role of the Anterior Meningovertebral Ligament in Patients with Anterior Epidural Abscess.

Differentiation between tuberculous and pyogenic spondylodiscitis is a diagnostic challenge because imaging often does not reliably distinguish the 2 entities and percutaneous biopsies are often culture-negative. The purpose of this study was to determine whether violation of the anterior meningovertebral ligament in the setting of anterior epidural abscess discriminates between these entities. This was a retrospective cohort study of all patients with acid-fast bacillus testing and anterior epidural abscess diagnosed on spinal MR imaging between May 2014 and September 2019, with a final diagnosis of tuberculous or pyogenic spondylodiscitis. Six cases of tuberculous spondylodiscitis (mean age, 45.5 years; 80% male) and 35 cases of pyogenic spondylodiscitis were evaluated (mean age, 56.6 years; 49% male). Demographic characteristics were recorded. Cases were assessed for anterior meningovertebral ligament destruction on MR imaging, as demonstrated by the shape of the epidural collection. Segmental location of the infection was also assessed. Independent 2-sample t tests and χ2 tests of independence were performed to evaluate the significance of the difference between the groups. Five of 6 (83.3%) cases of tuberculous epidural abscess had an intact anterior meningovertebral ligament, and 0/35 cases of pyogenic epidural abscess demonstrated an intact ligament (P < .001). The presence of an intact anterior meningovertebral ligament had 83.3% sensitivity and 100% specificity for tuberculous spondylodiscitis, a 100% positive predictive value, and a 97.2% negative predictive value. The presence of an intact anterior meningovertebral ligament has high sensitivity and specificity for tuberculous spondylodiscitis-associated epidural abscess, though these results should be validated in a larger sample.

Adjacent Level Tuberculous Spondylodiscitis Leading to Proximal Junctional Kyphosis: Rare and Unusual Presentation

Vertebral osteomyelitis manifesting as a compression fracture misdiagnosed in the setting of steroid-induced or senile osteoporosis is very rare, although such patients are prone to infection or reactivation, as their immune system is exhausted. Spondylodiscitis occurring at adjacent levels following instrumented spinal fusion leading to pathologic fracture and proximal junctional failure, especially caused by tuberculosis, to our knowledge, has not been discussed in the literature. In case 1, a 61-year-old woman with osteoporotic T12 collapse was treated with corpectomy, anterior reconstruction, and posterior fixation from T9-L2. Initial biopsy and culture were normal. She presented 4 months later with compression fracture of T8; T8 corpectomy with anterior reconstruction and proximal extension of the construct was performed. In case 2, a 65-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities and osteoporotic L1 compression fracture was treated with L1 corpectomy, anterior reconstruction, and posterior instrumentation from T11-L3. She presented 4 months later with T10 vertebral body acute collapse; 2-stage anterior corpectomy and reconstruction was performed. In both cases, probing the affected vertebral body yielded pus. Pus and bone tissue samples sent for culture and histopathologic examination were positive for tuberculosis suggesting tuberculous spondylitis in both cases. In both patients, tuberculous spondylodiscitis at the proximal adjacent level was diagnosed <1 year after the initial spinal surgery. Neither patient had a previous history of pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis. They were successfully treated with antituberculous therapy and proximal extension of the construct with anterior reconstruction. Adjacent segment spondylodiscitis should be suspected and intraoperative biopsy must be considered for histopathologic and microbiologic examination to rule out subclinical infection in immunosuppressed patients with multiple comorbidities. Management should be individualized, considering the context of infection, causative organism, extent of bone destruction, and neurologic involvement.

AN INTERESTING PRESENTATION OF TB WITH DYSPHAGIA

SESSION TITLE: Monday Medical Student/Resident Case Report Posters SESSION TYPE: Med Student/Res Case Rep Postr PRESENTED ON: 10/21/2019 02:30 PM - 03:15 PM INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis (TB) is a global pandemic, but the incidence of TB is low in the United States. Hence, the diagnosis of TB can be frequently delayed, especially with the extrapulmonary manifestations. Here we present a case of skeletal tuberculosis which had to be worked up extensively before the diagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: 57 year-old-woman, an immigrant from Nepal presented with complaints of excruciating chest pain, dysphagia and back pain. She had similar complaints for 4 months and had an extensive workup done including bloodwork, X-rays of chest, abdomen, thoracic spine, Electrocardiogram, stress test, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and Gastric Emptying Study, all being unremarkable. 2 weeks prior, she had presented to an acute care with similar complaints where she had a Computed tomography (CT) of Chest without contrast done which showed a lucent foci in anterior vertebral body in T6. This new lesion made concerns about malignancy and she had an appointment with oncology upcoming, when with worsened symptoms, she presented to us. After presentation, she disclosed additional complaints of recent weight loss, night sweats, dry cough and a history of untreated latent tuberculosis. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of spine showed abnormal marrow signal in T4-T6 with disc narrowing and multiloculated paraspinal mass suggestive of Tubercular spondylitis and paraspinal/paravertebral abscess (fig-1). CT guided aspiration of the paraspinal abscess in T6 was done and sent for workup. Acid Fast Bacilli stain of abscess was positive, also the culture later grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis. With her dysphagia, chest CT with contrast was done which showed mass effect and erosion on the posterior esophageal wall anterior to T3-T4 vertebra which explained her dysphagia (fig-2). She was started on treatment with Rifampin, Isoniazid, Ethambutol and Pyrazinamide. DISCUSSION: Pott’s spine is the commonest form of skeletal TB and presents with local pain accompanied by fever, weight loss, sometimes with rare presentations like dysphagia. With progression of infection, spinal cord compression can occur causing paraplegia. Diagnosis is often delayed with its subacute course and with its rarity in non-endemic areas, especially in absence of active chest symptoms. Diagnosis is usually established by microscopy and culture of infected material obtained by aspiration and/or biopsy. Medical management is done with anti-tubercular drugs for 9-12 months. Sometimes with complications, surgical treatment can also be warranted. CONCLUSIONS: Skeletal TB can be rare in non-endemic areas like the United States, however, questions including country of origin, history of travel, prior infection or exposure should always be sought to make a timely diagnosis. Reference #1: Fuentes Ferrer M et al: Tuberculosis of the spine. A systematic review of case series. International orthopaedics. 2012;36(2):221-31. Reference #2: Trecarichi EM, Di Meco E, Mazotta V, Fantoni: M Tuberculous spondylodiscitis : epidemiology, clinical features, treatment and outcome Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2012 Apr;16 Suppl 2:58-72. Reference #3: Nussbaum ES, Rockswold GL, Bergman TA, Erickson DL, Seljeskog EL: Spinal tuberculosis: a diagnostic and management challenge. J Neurosurg. 1995;83(2):243. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Rakshya Sharma, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Ananta Subedi, source=Web Response

Tuberculous Spondylodiscitis in a Military Hospital in Gabon: Report of Eleven Patients

Tuberculous Spondylodiscitis in a Military Hospital in Gabon: Report of Eleven Patients

Granulomatous spondylodiscitis: A case series with focus on histopathological features

Objective: To report a series of Granulomatous Spondylodiscitis (GS) with focus on the histopathological features of the different forms of GS. Design: Case series. Setting: Pathology department of Charles Nicolle’s Hospital of Tunisia Participants: This study included 57 patients diagnosed with GS. There were 44 (77.2%) female patients and 13 (22.8%) male patients (sex ratio = 0.28). Intervention: Not applicable. Outcome measures: Clinical, microbiological and histopathological features were assessed in this study. Results: Fifty-seven patients with GS were enrolled: 51 tuberculous spondylodiscitis (TS), 2 fungal spondylodiscitis (FS), 3 brucellar spondylodiscitis (BS) and 1 case of sarcoidosis. Granulomas with necrosis were seen in 38 (66.6%) cases: 36 TS and 2 FS, while granulomas without necrosis were observed in the remaining 19 cases: 15 TS, 3 BS and 1 sarcoidosis. In all cases of TS, granulomas were epithelioid type, associated with histiocytic type granulomas in 7 cases. Caseous necrosis was seen in 35 cases of TS and suppurative granuloma in one case. The 3 cases of BS exhibited non-necrotizing and histiocytic type granulomas. The 2 cases of FS showed histiocytic, epithelioid and necrotizing granulomas. Necrosis was mixed: suppurative and caseous in both cases of FS. Sarcoidosis was characterized with epithelioid type granulomas without necrosis. Conclusion: Granuloma with caseous necrosis is highly suggestive of TS but does not rule out FS. Certain fungi can exhibit this type of necrosis as do tuberculosis species. Suppurative inflammation, although rare in TS, does exist. Histiocytic type granuloma without necrosis is suggestive of brucellosis.

Stent graft as a bridge to allograft to treat a septic thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm after spinal fusion

A 29-year-old woman was admitted to our institution for severe septic syndrome. Her medical history included a T6-T8 posterior spinal fusion 7 years earlier for tuberculous spondylodiscitis. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a 70- × 58-mm pseudoaneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta extending from T6 to T8 level, surrounding the left T6 screw (A/Cover). A T6-T8 spondylodiscitis and bilateral paraspinal collections were also observed. Blood and T7 bone biopsy specimens grew Escherichia coli. To prevent an imminent pseudoaneurysm rupture and to allow cryopreserved aortic allograft (CAA) delivery, the patient first underwent conformable TAG 26- × 26- × 100-mm (W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) thoracic aortic stent graft implantation under general anesthesia through a small left femoral incision. The procedure was uncomplicated. Exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm was assessed by final angiography and postoperative CT scan (B). Five days later, T2-T10 spinal fusion was conducted after infected hardware removal through a posterior approach along with drainage of the paraspinal collections. Aortic replacement using a 10-cm-long thoracic CAA was performed through a left posterolateral thoracotomy in the same operative course. A partial cardiopulmonary bypass at normothermia was established through a left femoral incision. An arterial perfusion cannula was positioned in the abdominal aorta and a venous cannula to the right atrium. During aortic replacement, a fistula was observed at the bottom of the aortic pseudoaneurysm communicating with the former location of the left T6 screw. The final step consisted of implantation in the vertebral defect of a titanium mesh cage containing autologous bone graft. Transdiaphragmatic epiploplasty was performed to isolate the CAA (C). The culture specimens of the removed orthopedic hardware and stent graft grew E. coli. Antibiotic treatment initially consisted of intravenous administration of cefotaxime and gentamycin switched postoperatively to intravenous administration of ceftriaxone for 12 weeks. Follow-up included visits at 1 month and 6 months postoperatively, and follow-up should be continued twice a year. Six months postoperatively, the patient was asymptomatic. The CT scan showed satisfactory coverage of the allograft by the omentum and the absence of allograft pseudoaneurysm or residual collection (D). Vascular injury after spinal instrumentation is a rare but life-threatening condition. Treatment of such injuries is not standardized. Previous studies have reported the use of stent grafts with good outcomes.1Zerati A.E. Leiderman D.B. Teixeira W.G. Narazaki D.K. Cristante A.F. Wolosker N. et al.Endovascular treatment of late aortic erosive lesion by pedicle screw without screw removal: case report and literature review.Ann Vasc Surg. 2017; 39: 285.e17-285.e21Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (5) Google Scholar In our case, we believed that simple endovascular treatment was not possible because of the high risk of stent graft infection. We believed that CAA represented the best option in a septic field, as is the case with aortic graft infections.2Corvera J.S. Blitzer D. Copeland H. Murphy D. Hess Jr., P.J. Pillai S.T. et al.Repair of thoracic and thoracoabdominal mycotic aneurysms and infected aortic grafts using allograft.Ann Thorac Surg. 2018; 106: 1129-1135Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (16) Google Scholar Potential postoperative CAA pseudoaneurysm formation requires close and lifelong follow-up. The patient consented to the use of related medical history and images for educational purposes.

Single-approach vertebral osteosynthesis in the treatment of spinal osteolysis by spondylodiscitis.

OBJECTIVEBoth spontaneous and iatrogenic spondylodiscitis are becoming ever more frequent, yet there are no definite treatment guidelines. For many years the treatment protocol was conservative medical management or surgical debridement with patients immobilized or bedridden for weeks and often resulting in spinal deformity. The eventual development of spinal deformity can be difficult to treat. Over the last few years, the authors have preferred a single-approach instrumented arthrodesis when spondylolysis that evolves in deformity from somatic wedging occurs.METHODSThe authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical, radiological, and surgical records of 11 patients treated over the past 3 years for spondylodiscitis with osteosynthesis.RESULTSOverall, the authors treated 11 patients: 3 cases with tuberculous spondylodiscitis (1 dorsal, 2 lumbar); 6 cases with Staphylococcus aureus spondylodiscitis (1 cervical, 2 dorsal, 2 lumbar, 1 dorsolumbar); 1 spondylodiscitis with postsurgical lumbar deformity; and in 1 dorsolumbar case the germ was not identified. Surgical approaches were chosen according to spinal level: In 8 dorsolumbar cases a posterior osteosynthesis was achieved. In 1 cervical case an anterior approach was performed with autologous bone graft from iliac crest. In 2 thoracolumbar cases a posterolateral costotransversectomy was needed. In 1 lumbosacral case iliac somatic grafting was used. Ten patients received adequate antibiotic treatment with clinical remission, and 1 case is in initial follow-up. No complications due to instrumentation were recorded. Spinal deformity was prevented in 10 cases, whereas preexisting spinal deformity was partially corrected in 1 case. In all cases, arthrodesis achieved vertebral stability.CONCLUSIONSThis study has the limitations of a retrospective review with a limited number of patients. Instrumentation does not appear to hamper healing from infection. Moreover, spinal stabilization, which is assisted by the infectious process even in the absence of bone graft, allows early mobilization. Instrumented osteosynthesis should be preferred for spondylodiscitis with osteolysis and spinal instability because it allows early mobilization and rehabilitation whenever necessary. It prevents spinal deformity and does not hamper healing of infections.

Spontaneous spondylodiscitis: review, incidence, management, and clinical outcome in 44 patients.

OBJECTIVESpontaneous spondylodiscitis remains uncommon but is a serious complication of the vertebral column. Risk factors include diabetes, hemodialysis, intravenous drug abuse, and chronic steroid use, and pain is the most common presenting symptom. This study aims to review the literature and report on the incidence, management, and clinical outcome of spontaneous spondylodiscitis in 44 patients.METHODSThis is a prospective study including 44 patients with spontaneous spondylodiscitis managed in the neurosurgery department of Cairo University Hospitals during the period between January 2012 and October 2017. All patients had a full clinical assessment, laboratory tests, radiological studies in the form of MRI with and without contrast, and a postoperative follow-up of up to 12 months.RESULTSTwelve cases underwent conservative treatment in the form of complete bed rest, intravenous antibiotics, and a spinal brace. Ten cases underwent surgical intervention in the form of laminectomy, debridement, and open biopsy. Twenty-two cases underwent laminectomy and surgical stabilization with fusion. There were 15 cases of tuberculous spondylodiscitis, 6 cases of brucellosis, 6 cases of pyogenic infection, and 17 cases in which no organism could be detected.CONCLUSIONSOnce the primary diagnosis is confirmed, early and adequately prolonged antibiotic therapy is recommended for spontaneous spondylodiscitis. Some cases can be successfully treated with conservative treatment alone, whereas surgery may be needed in other cases such as severe destruction of endplates, spinal abscess formation, mechanical instability, neurological deficits, and severe pain that have failed to respond to conservative treatment.

Thoraco lumbar spinal tuberculosis-assessment of functional outcome following posterior decompression and posterior instrumentation

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Spinal tuberculosis is the most common form of extra pulmonary tuberculosis. Complications of untreated spinal tuberculosis include neurological deficit and gibbus deformity. Treatment of spinal TB can be surgical or conservative. Surgical treatment is the mainstay in spinal tuberculosis with neurological deficit. Various approaches to surgical management are anterior only, combined anterior &amp;amp; posterior and posterior only. Posterior only approach is less traumatic and more familiar to orthopaedicians.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; 23 patients diagnosed of spinal tuberculosis with neurological involvement who underwent single stage posterior decompression and posterior stabilization were analyzed with ASIA grading and VAS score..&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; The mean age of the study population was 48.86. There were 12 females and 11 males. The mean operative time and blood loss were 152.19 minutes and 265 ml. Increasing age correlated with blood loss and operating time. The mean follow up period was 36.21 months. There were significant differences in the ASIA and the VAS scores when pre-operative, immediate post-op and final follow up where compared.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; Single stage posterior decompression and instrumentation is a safe and effective procedure in the treatment of tuberculous spondylodiscitis with neurological deficit and a kyphotic angle &amp;lt;60&lt;sup&gt;o&lt;/sup&gt;. The long-term results are better because of posterior instrumentation, which provide stability and the healing anteriorly following antituberculous treatment.&lt;/p&gt;

The Value of Histology in the Diagnosis of Tuberculous Spondylodiscitis.

Tuberculous spondylodiscitis (TS) is the most common form of musculoskeletal tuberculosis. Currently, histology is widely used to distinguish tuberculous from nontuberculous disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the accuracy of histology compared with bacteriology in the diagnosis of TS. This is a single-center case series carried out from January 2014 to February 2018 in a pathology department. It included 121 discovertebral biopsies of infective spondylodiscitis. The measures of diagnostic accuracy of histology were determined taking bacteriology as criterion standard. Among the 121 cases, 55 (45.4%) were diagnosed as TS by histological and/or bacteriological findings, 17 (30.9%) were classified as definite TS by bacteriology, and the remaining 38 (69.1%) had positive histology and negative bacteriology. There were 2 false-negatives, which histologically displayed suppuration without granuloma, and 3 false-positives; in one case, histology displayed granulomas without necrosis and culture isolated Brucella. In the 2 others, histology revealed granulomas with caseous-like necrosis and microbiology isolated fungal species. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of histology in the diagnosis of TS were 88.2%, 93.4%, 83.3%, 95.5%, and 92%, respectively. Histology is proved to be an accurate diagnostic tool in TS. Suppurative forms of TS without granuloma are rare and represent the main cause of false-negative histology. Suggestive histology of TS does not rule out fungal and brucellar spondylodiscitis. Caseous necrosis is not pathognomonic of tuberculosis. Fungal infection can also exhibit such type of necrosis.