title: Antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate as an anterior biomechanical device for the treatment of cervical discitis and vertebral osteomyelitis: technical report of two cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the feasibility of this novel surgical approach for treatment of cervical discitis and vertebral osteomyelitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a report of two patients who underwent anterior cervical decompression for discitis and vertebral osteomyelitis (DVO) with cervical spine reconstruction with polymethylmethacrylate impregnated with antibiotics (AI-PMMA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both patients had successful procedures that were followed by 6 weeks of intravenous antibiotics. Stabilization and eradication of infection was achieved with clinical and radiographic stabilization seen in both. Follow-up is greater than 18 months and both patients remain off antibiotics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The described technique using AI-PMMA offers immediate structural stability and local delivery of high concentration of antibiotics. Use in two patients has demonstrated a cost effective, long-term biomechanically stable construct and infection control.
authors: Providence Hospital and Medical Centers, Department of Neurological Surgery, Southfield, MI, USA.
authors: Ryan J
authors: RJ
authors: Barrett
authors: Lee
authors: L
authors: Sandquist
authors: Boyd F
authors: BF
authors: Richards
authors: Teck M
authors: TM
authors: Soo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001843:Bone Cements; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D015299:Discitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001843:Bone Cements; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate