Cervical spondylodiscitis--a clinical analysis of surgically treated patients and review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to analyze our clinical and neurological results of surgically treated patients suffering from cervical spondylodiscitis with focusing particularly on the surgical methods used and to review the literature.


METHODS
We present a series of 21 patients operated with cervical spondylodiscitis between 1998 and 2011. Basic demographic data, comorbidities, the radiological segments involved, the surgical strategy with special consideration of the material used and the clinical outcome were evaluated retrospectively.


RESULTS
The mean age of 6 female and 12 male patients was 65 years (range 28-89 years). The mean follow-up was 3.7 years ranging between 4 weeks and 9 years. The leading symptom was neurological deficits rather than pain. The segments C 5/6 (n=8) and C 6/7 (n=7) were most frequently involved. Different surgical methods depending on the location, anatomical and pathological condition and extension of the lesion were performed.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, cervical spondylodiscitis could effectively be treated in the presented patient cohort by surgical decompression, debridement and PMMA or bone graft implants followed by long term antibiotic therapy. The presented surgical reconstruction technique with PMMA might be a feasible alternative to the use of bone graft or cages. The promising clinical results warrant future prospective studies to further investigate this technique.
Neurosurgical Department, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany. Electronic address: neriman.oezkan@uk-essen.de.
Neriman
N
Özkan
Neurosurgical Department, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Karsten
K
Wrede
Neurosurgical Department, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Ardeshir
A
Ardeshiri
Neurosurgical Department, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Vincent
V
Hagel
Neurosurgical Department, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Phillip
P
Dammann
Institute of Radiology and Neuroradiology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Adrian
A
Ringelstein
Neurosurgical Department, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Ulrich
U
Sure
Neurosurgical Department, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
I Erol
IE
Sandalcioglu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001843:Bone Cements; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003287:Contrast Media; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D015299:Discitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D007796:Laminectomy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001843:Bone Cements; D003287:Contrast Media; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA
Cervical spine; Spinal infection; Spine fusion; Spondylodiscitis