Predictors of conversion surgery after conservative treatment for pyogenic spondylitis.

Background: Patient demographic and clinical characteristics may be factors associated with the success of conservative treatment for pyogenic spondylitis. The ability of imaging findings at initial diagnosis to predict patient outcomes remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors associated with conversion surgery after conservative treatment for pyogenic spondylitis, with a special focus on the initial computed tomography (CT) findings.

The Effect of Local Administration of Vancomycin Suspended in Fibrin Glue for Prevention of Surgical Site Infection After Spinal Instrumentation: Comparison by Probability of Treatment Weighting Model.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To compare the surgical site infection (SSI) rate in patients undergoing spinal instrumentation surgery who received vancomycin suspended in fibrin glue at the surgical site and those who did not.

Summary Of Background Data: The intrawound application of vancomycin powder for preventing SSI after spinal surgery remains controversial.

Risk Factors Associated with Aggravation of Cervical Spine Lesions in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Retrospective Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To examine factors related to severe aggravation of preexisting cervical lesions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) under current pharmacologic treatments with biologics.

Summary Of Background Data: Advanced RA cervical lesions carry a risk of irreversible damage to the spinal cord; however, risk factors for aggravation are unclear after the use of biologics became more popular.

Risk factors associated with cervical spine lesions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an observational study.

Background: Few reports have described the association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cervical lesions and osteoporosis, especially in patients with vertical subluxation (VS) that could be induced by the collapse of lateral masses in the upper cervical spine. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for cervical lesions in patients with RA under current pharmacological treatments with biological agents, and to investigate the relationship between osteoporosis and VS development.

Methods: One hundred eighty-five consecutive patients with RA who underwent both cervical plain radiography and bone mineral density (BMD) scanning were enrolled.