Vertebral osteomyelitis in patients with an underlying malignancy or chronic kidney disease - who is at higher risk for adverse outcome?

Purpose: Patients with vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) and comorbidities, notably chronic kidney disease (CKD), are at risk of early mortality. The aim of this study was to compare characteristics and outcomes of VO patients with an underlying malignancy (ONCO) to VO patients with CKD and VO patients without comorbidities (CONTROL).

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of data which was prospectively collected between 2008 and 2020.

A post-hoc analysis of risk factors for poor quality of life after surgical treatment of spondylodiscitis.

Patient-reported outcome measures for quality of life (QoL) like the Oswestry-Disability-Index (ODI) are useful for a quick, comprehensive and comparable evaluation of spondylodiscitis treatment. While it is known that even after successful surgical treatment, the QoL of spondylodiscitis patients remains below that of the general population, risk factors for a poor outcome have not been described so far. We did a retrospective post-hoc analysis of 130 surgically treated spondylodiscitis patients from 2008 to 2022.

Infective endocarditis and spondylodiscitis-impact of sequence of surgical therapy on survival and recurrence rate.

Objectives: To date, there are no standardized treatment algorithms or recommendations for patients with infective endocarditis (IE) and concomitant spondylodiscitis (SD). Therefore, our aim was to analyse whether the sequence of surgical treatment of IE and SD has an impact on postoperative outcome and to identify risk factors for survival and postoperative recurrence.

Methods: Patients with IE underwent surgery in 4 German university hospitals between 1994 and 2022.

An investigation into the quality of life improvements after vertebral osteomyelitis depending on the status of pathogen detection.

Objective: This study aimed to compare clinical characteristics and quality of life (QoL) after vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) based on the status of pathogen detection in microbiological sampling.

Methods: We conducted a post hoc data analysis from a prospective single-center study in a tertiary referral hospital, including VO patients from 2008 to 2020. Data were collected preoperatively (T0) and 1-year post surgery (T1).

Surgery for Vertebral Osteomyelitis Lowers 1-Year Mortality and Failure Rates Compared with Nonsurgical Treatment: A Propensity-Matched Analysis.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine differences between patients who underwent surgical treatment and those who underwent nonsurgical treatment of vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) and to identify potential factors influencing treatment failure (death and/or recurrence within 1 year).

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of clinical data prospectively collected from patients treated for VO between 2008 and 2020. The decision between surgical and nonsurgical treatment was made for each patient based on defined criteria.

Quality of Life with Respect to Surgically Treated Vertebral Osteomyelitis and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis.

Vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) and degenerative spondylolisthesis (SL) are 2 commonly treated spinal conditions. Therefore, in the presented work, the quality of life after surgical therapy of these 2 entities is compared using established scores.In a monocentric study, all patients with VO and SL were prospectively enrolled using the Spine Tango Registry.

Risk Factors for Neurologic Deficits in Patients With Spinal Epidural Abscess: An Analysis of One-Hundred-Forty Cases.

Study Design: retrospective study.

Objectives: In addition to surgical treatment of spinal epidural abscesses (SEA), a conservative, medical treatment for patients without acute neurologic deficits has been proposed. However, the risk factors for neurologic deficits are unclear.

Determining threshold values for success after surgical treatment of lumbar spondylodiscitis using quality of life scores.

Objective: This study aimed to determine threshold values of validated quality of life (QoL) scores, including Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI), for predicting a successful outcome following surgical treatment of lumbar spondylodiscitis (LS).

Methods: Patients with lumbar spondylodiscitis (LS) undergoing surgery in a tertiary referral hospital were included prospectively from 2008-2019. Data were collected both before surgery (T0) and one year after surgery (T1).

Can triclosan-coated sutures reduce the postoperative rate of wound infection? Data from a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Wound infections are typical postoperative complications with considerable therapeutic consequences and high personnel and financial costs. Previous meta-analyses have shown that triclosan-coated sutures can reduce the risk of postoperative wound infection. This work aimed to update previous meta-analyses with a special focus on different subgroups.

Clinical features and outcome of vertebral osteomyelitis after spinal injection: is it worth the price?

Purpose: Spinal injections are increasingly used for back pain treatment. Vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) after spinal injection (SIVO) is rare, but patient characteristics and outcome have not been well characterized. The aim of this study was to assess patient characteristics of SIVO in comparison to patients with native vertebral osteomyelitis (NVO) and to determine predictors for 1-year survival.

Evaluation of Classification Systems and Their Correlation With Clinical and Quality-of-life Parameters in Patients With Surgically Treated Spondylodiskitis.

Introduction: Surgical classifications for spondylodiscitis (SD) typically include radiologic features and the status of neurologic impairment. Clinical factors such as preoperative pain, function/disability, overall quality of life (QoL), and risk of recurrence and mortality, which are necessary for a comprehensive assessment of SD and measurement of treatment success, are not considered. There is a lack of external validation of SD classifications.

Impact of a pediatric infectious disease consultation service on timely step-down to oral antibiotic treatment for bone and joint infections.

Purpose: In recent years an earlier step down to oral antibiotic therapy has been advocated for numerous infections. Trained infectious disease specialists regularly consulting their colleagues may speed up the implementation of such recommendations into clinical practice and thus may improve treatment.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed bone and joint infections in children admitted to the University Hospital of Cologne between 2010 and 2021.

Four decades of developmental dysplastic hip screening according to Graf: What have we learned?

Purpose: Sonographic hip examination according to Graf is widely accepted standard for diagnosing developmental dysplastic hips (DDH) but it is criticized for alleged intra- and interobserver variations. This review was conducted to evaluate whether objective quality criteria according to the Graf method are fulfilled within scientific literature.

Methods: A systematic literature search on Pubmed was performed using the search string: [(DDH) OR (Hip dysplasia)] AND (Graf).

The influence of orthopedic surgery on the incidence of post-operative delirium in geriatric patients: results of a prospective observational study.

Background: Postoperative delirium (PD) is a major concern in geriatric patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. This prospective observational study aims to examine the incidence of PD, to identify intervention-specific risk factors and to investigate the influence of orthopedic surgery on delirium.

Methods: From 2019 to 2020, 132 patients ≥70 years of age with endoprosthetic (Group E) or spinal surgery (Group S) were included.

What Do We Know about Spondylodiscitis in Children? A Retrospective Study.

Pediatric spondylodiscitis (PSD) is a rare disease with a major impact on mobility and functional status. Data concerning demographic and microbiological characteristics, clinical course, treatment, and outcome are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to present clinical experiences of a third-level hospital (2009-2019) in PSD and compare these with adult spondylodiscitis (ASD).

Treatment Failure in Vertebral Osteomyelitis: Is it All About Staphylococcus aureus ?

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The aim was to compare the influence of 2 common vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) causing pathogens on treatment failure within the first year of diagnosis.

Summary Of Background Data: VO is mainly caused by Staphylococcus aureus (SA), while enterococci and streptococci (ENST) are also responsible for a significant proportion of VO, particularly in elderly patients.

Can we predict favourable quality of life after surgically treated vertebral osteomyelitis? Analysis of a prospective study.

Purpose: Vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) is a severe clinical entity associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Several studies have showed that successful treatment of VO patients leads to significantly improved quality of life (QoL). Nevertheless, QoL levels of these patients remained below those of the general population.

The Burden of Vertebral Osteomyelitis-An Analysis of the Workforce before and after Treatment.

Although vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) has a major impact on morbidity, functional status, and quality of life, data concerning the influence on the patient's ability to work (ATW) are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the work status after VO-treatment as well as risk factors associated with loss of the ATW. We conducted a post-hoc analysis of data from a prospective VO-registry (2008-2019) supplemented by workforce data.

The diagnostic value of cytokines for the discrimination of vertebral osteomyelitis and degenerative diseases of the spine.

Vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) is a primary infection of the endplates of the vertebral bodies with secondary infection of the adjacent intervertebral discs. Diagnosis is often delayed due to unspecific symptoms and a lack of specific infection markers. In this prospective study, we determined the suitability of 27 cytokines for the discrimination of VO and degenerative diseases of the spine and compared its diagnostic potential in relation to the C-reactive protein (CRP), which is widely used as a non-specific inflammation marker in clinical diagnostics.

Alveolar echinococcosis as a cause of vertebral osteomyelitis and soft tissue infection with recurrent cutaneous fistula formation.

Echinococcus multilocularis is endemic in Germany. However, alveolar echinococcosis is a rare disease. Most commonly the parasite affects the liver, behaving like a malignant tumour.

Establishment of an interdisciplinary board for bone and joint infections.

Purpose: The incidence of bone and joint infections is increasing while their treatment remains a challenge. Although guidelines and recommendations exist, evidence is often lacking and treatment complicated by complex clinical presentations and therapeutic options. Interdisciplinary boards shown to improve management of other diseases, seem potentially helpful.

Outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections after CT-guided spinal injections.

Background: Meningitis and spinal infections with Gram-negative bacteria after local injections for treatment of chronic back pain are rare. This study investigated an outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections following computed tomography (CT)-guided spinal injections (SI).

Methods: A case was defined as a spinal infection or meningitis with P.

Vertebral osteomyelitis in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection: Evaluation of risk factors for treatment failure.

Objectives: Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (VO). Studies indicate that S. aureus VO results in poor outcome.

Periprosthetic infections: How do we diagnose and treat? Results of an online survey and comparison with international recommendations.

Objective: Endoprosthetic replacement surgery of hip and knee joints is widely performed, but always carries the risk of developing periprosthetic infection (PPI). Treatment of PPI is lengthy and demanding for the patient, often involving multiple surgeries as well as lengthy drug therapies. Remediation is not always successful despite extensive therapy.