Bacterial wound contamination during simple and complex spinal procedures. A prospective clinical study

Background context

Spinal procedures have a potential of intraoperative contamination. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) have been used to diagnose postoperative infections after spinal surgery. However, it has not been demonstrated if there is an association between surgical site contamination and clinical manifestation of postoperative infection based on inflammatory markers and patients' clinical course.

Purpose

The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the association between surgical site contamination and the development of a postoperative infection in simple and complex surgical procedures. C-reactive protein and ESR levels were observed. The correlation between their values, surgical time, type of surgical procedures, and contaminated surgical sites was investigated.

Study design

Prospective clinical study.

Patient sample

The study consisted of 40 patients divided into two groups. Group A included 20 patients (mean age, 46.2 years; 12 women and 8 men) who underwent an open discectomy for a lumbar herniated disc. Group B consisted of 20 patients (mean age, 67.9 years; 11 women and 9 men) who underwent a decompression and instrumented fusion for lumbar spinal stenosis. They were followed up for an average of 26.7 months (range, 11–40 months).

Outcome measures

Samples were obtained for cultures in standard time intervals during surgery. The types of bacteria cultured were evaluated, and CRP and ESR levels were measured.

Methods

Simple lumbar discectomy (Group A, 20 patients) and instrumented lumbar decompression for degenerative lumbar stenosis (Group B, 20 patients) were performed in a prospective consecutive series of patients. All patients were operated by the same surgeon in the same operating room. Surgical site preparation in each patient was done by a standard manner. Samples were obtained for cultures in standard time intervals during surgery. C-reactive protein and ESR levels were measured preoperatively on the 3rd, 7th, and 21st postoperative days, and the clinical course of each patient was recorded.

Results

From 40 patients, three patients in Group A and five patients in Group B, a total of eight patients (20%) had positive cultures for bacteria. There was no statistical significance between contamination and duration of surgery in both groups. None of the patients with positive intraoperative cultures developed any clinical signs of superficial or deep postoperative spinal infection, and no additional antibiotic treatment was administered. Three patients with negative cultures developed a postoperative infection. There were no differences in CRP and ESR values between patients with contamination and noncontamination in both groups. C-reactive protein and ESR levels were significantly elevated in complex procedures (Group B) than in simple procedures (Group A). Statistical analysis of CRP and ESR values in both groups and types of bacteria cultured intraoperatively are presented.

Conclusions

The results of this study demonstrate that intraoperative contamination can occur during simple and complex spinal procedures. In the absence of postoperative signs of infection in patients with intraoperative contamination, there is no need of continuing antibiotic treatment. Postoperative kinetics of CRP and ESR showed to be the same in patients with and without intraoperative contamination. Higher levels of inflammatory markers were noted in complex spinal procedures where instrumentation was applied.     

白细胞聚集试验诊断骨与关节感染初步报告

１９９４年８月～１９９５年１０月我们在１４例确诊为骨和关节感染患者中做了白细胞聚集试验（ＬＫＴ）、白细胞计数（ＷＢＣ）及血沉（ＥＳＲ）三项血液学检测。结果表明ＬＫＴ定量分析（百分率）在骨、关节感染诊断方面有一定实用价值。可以使骨、关节感染获得早期诊断，比ＷＢＣ、ＥＳＲ更为准确。ＬＫＴ值与疾病严重性有关，可作为疾病临床转归一种监测手段；而且也可以作为临床用药治疗的一项更为有用的监测指标。     

脊柱结核手术时机选择的初步研究

目的:观察脊柱结核患者手术前后红细胞沉降率(erythrocyte sedimentation rate,ESR),C-反应蛋白(C-reactive protein,CRP)及神经功能的变化,探讨手术介入时机,评价其对手术安全性的影响.方法:对2012年3月至2017年3月行手术治疗的387例脊柱结核患者进行回顾性分...     

Laboratory Value Effectiveness in Predicting Early Postoperative Periprosthetic Joint Infection After Total Hip Arthroplasty

BackgroundDiagnosing early periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains challenging. We sought to validate optimal laboratory value cutoffs for detecting early PJIs in a series of primary THAs from one institution.MethodsWe retrospectively identified 22,795 primary THAs performed between 2000 and 2019. Within 12 weeks, 43 hips (43 patients) underwent arthrocentesis. Patients were divided into 2 groups: evaluation ≤6 weeks or 6-12 weeks following THA. The 2011 Musculoskeletal Infection Society major criteria for PJI diagnosed PJI in 15 patients. Mann-Whitney U-tests were used to compare median laboratory values and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate optimal cutoff values.ResultsBoth within 6 weeks and between 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively, median C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, synovial white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil percentage, and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) values were significantly higher in infected THAs. Optimal cutoffs within 6 weeks were: CRP ≥100 mg/L, synovial WBCs ≥4390 cells/μL, neutrophil percentage ≥74%, and ANC ≥3249 cells/μL. Between 6 and 12 weeks, optimal cutoffs were: CRP ≥33 mg/L, synovial WBCs ≥26,995 cells/μL, neutrophil percentage ≥93%, and ANC ≥25,645 cells/μL.ConclusionEarly PJI following THA should be suspected within 6 weeks with CRP ≥100 mg/L or synovial WBCs ≥4390 cells/μL. Between 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively, cutoffs of CRP ≥33 mg/L, synovial fluid WBC ≥26,995 cells/μL, and neutrophil percentage ≥93% diagnosed PJI with high accuracy.Level of EvidenceLevel IV Diagnostic.     

术前不明原因C-反应蛋白和红细胞沉降率升高对初次全膝关节置换术后早期假体周围感染的影响

目的 探讨术前不明原因的C-反应蛋白（CRP）和红细胞沉降率（ESR）升高对初次全膝关节置换术（total knee arthroplasty,TKA）术后早期假体周围感染（periprosthetic joint infection,PJI）的影响。方法 回顾性分析2016年11月至2021年10月在我院因膝骨关节炎行TKA治疗的病人,均排除CRP、ESR升高的明显诱因,经纳入和排除标准获得882例,男293例,女589例,年龄为（67.00±7.91）岁（43~98岁）。根据病人术前血CRP和ESR水平将病人分为四组：双阳组44例,CRP阳性组27例,ESR阳性组176例,双阴组635例。评估四组病人行TKA术后90 d内PJI的发生率,通过二元Logistic回归分析CRP和ESR升高的风险因素。结果 双阳组、CRP阳性组、ESR阳性组和双阴组术后90 d内的PJI发生率分别为6.82%（3/44）、0（0/27）、2.27%（4/176）、1.10%（7/635）,四组的感染率比较,差异有统计学意义（P=0.022）。合并糖尿病（OR=2.629,95% CI：1.535~4.502,P＜0.001）和身体质量指数（BMI）高（OR=2.575,95% CI：1.867~3.552,P＜0.001）是术前CRP水平升高的风险因素;女性（OR=2.701,95% CI：1.810~4.031,P＜0.001）、高BMI（OR=1.207,95% CI：2.435~3.942,P＜0.001）和合并糖尿病（OR=1.827,95% CI：1.218~2.739,P=0.004）是术前ESR水平升高的风险因素。结论 术前不明原因CRP和ESR升高增加初次TKA术后90 d内PJI发生风险,应结合性别、BMI、是否合并糖尿病,最后确定能否进行手术,是否需要围术期的额外治疗来预防和降低PJI的发生。     

钛网椎管成形在脊柱融合术中的应用

目的　介绍一种治疗椎体爆裂性骨折椎板减压后脊柱融合的方法。方法　椎体爆裂性骨折病人 3 4例 ,均有不同程度的脊柱不稳及硬膜囊或神经根压迫。在进行后路椎板减压、经椎弓根内固定后 ,采用钛网椎管成形脊柱后路融合重建脊柱的稳定性。结果　全部病例经 1 2～ 1 8个月随访 ,内固定物无断裂 ,钛网在位 ,椎管成形良好 ,硬膜囊及神经根无压迫。 3 1例神经功能有不同程度的恢复。结论　钛网椎管成形脊柱融合术治疗椎体爆裂性骨折效果良好。此方法操作简单 ,安全 ,能够在恢复椎管形状、免除硬膜囊及神经根压迫的同时 ,进行植骨融合 ,增加脊柱的稳定性 ,易于推广应用。     

Combined Measurement of D-Dimer and C-Reactive Protein Levels: Highly Accurate for Diagnosing Chronic Periprosthetic Joint Infection

BackgroundDiagnosis of chronic periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) can be challenging and elusive in the absence of a gold standard. D-dimer plays an important role in inflammation that occurs during infections and therefore could be a valuable biomarker for PJI. This study aims to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of D-dimer in detecting chronic PJI and to improve the accuracy of chronic PJI diagnosis through combined measurement of serum D-dimer with C-reactive protein (CRP)/erythrocyte sedimentation rate.MethodsOne hundred twenty-two patients presenting with a painful knee or hip after total hip or total knee arthroplasty for surgical revision were included in this prospective trial. Our cohort consisted of 55 patients undergoing revision for chronic PJI and 67 patients undergoing revision for aseptic failure. PJI was defined using the Musculoskeletal Infection Society criteria. Receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curve were analyzed for each biomarker.ResultsThe area under the curve for D-dimer was 0.915 and was more accurate than serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate 0.719 and CRP 0.761. 1170 ng/mL was determined to be the optimal threshold value of D-dimer for the diagnosis of chronic PJI, with a sensitivity of 92.73% and a specificity of 74.63% in the diagnosis of chronic PJI. The combination of D-dimer and CRP tests demonstrated a sensitivity of 98.11% and negative predictive value of 96.55% for the diagnosis of chronic PJI.ConclusionThe present study identified the D-dimer is a valuable biomarker in detecting chronic PJI. The combinations of serum D-dimer and CRP led to the improvement of sensitivity compared with those of the single-index test.     

C反应蛋白和血沉联合检测对慢性阻塞性肺疾病并发急性感染的预测价值

目的:探讨联合检测C反应蛋白(CRP)和血沉(ESR)对慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者并发感染的早期预测价值.方法:选取COPD患者50例,其中并发急性感染患者38例,未并发感染者12例,23例健康体检者作为健康对照组.分别检测各组人群静脉血CRP和ESR水平,受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线)下面积判断CRP和ESR联合检测预测COPD合并急性感染的诊断价值.结果:COPD无感染组及COPD合并感染组患者血清CRP和ESR的水平显著高于健康对照组(P＜0.05);COPD合并感染组CRP和ESR的水平均显著高于COPD无感染组(P＜0.05);以CRP为参考指标(截断值=8.2 mg/L)评估COPD感染的敏感性为97.4％,特异性为90.0％,ROC曲线下面积为0.921 1;以ESR为参考指标(截断值=14.1 mm/1 h)评估COPD感染的敏感性为100.0％,特异性为80.0％,ROC曲线下面积为0.914 5.结论:COPD感染患者CRP和ESR显著升高,联合监测CRP和ESR对COPD患者是否并发感染的早期预测有重要临床价值.     

Delayed normalization of C-Reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate was not associated with inferior clinical outcomes after total knee arthroplasty

BackgroundThe purpose of this study aimed to identify the proportion of patients with delayed normalization of C-reactive protein (CRP) and Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) after TKA, to determine postoperative thresholds predictive of prolonged elevation. Further, we aimed to determine if the clinical outcomes of patients with prolonged elevation were inferior to those without prolonged elevation.MethodsThe records of 211 unilateral and 320 bilateral TKA were reviewed. Patients were divided into the normal and elevation group based on CRP and ESR levels at 6 weeks and 3 months. The temporal pattern of CRP and ESR change in both groups was compared, and thresholds predictive of elevation at 6 weeks and 3 months were identified. Further, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index and Tegner activity scale of both groups at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after TKA were compared.ResultsThe proportion of patients with elevated CRP and ESR at 6 weeks and 3 months was CRP: 24.2%, 10%, ESR: 51.6%, 29.9% in unilateral and CRP: 31.5%, 10.6%, ESR: 58.1%, 42.7% in bilateral TKA. The thresholds for elevation at 6 weeks and 3 months were 9.5 mg/dL, 11.4 mg/dL (CRP at 6 weeks) and 81.5 mm/h, 74.5 mm/h (ESR at 3 months). There was no difference in the WOMAC score and Tegner activity scale between both groups.ConclusionsCRP and ESR are often elevated for a prolonged period even in the absence of infection after TKA. Such cases show distinct temporal patterns, which are predictable, and do not appear to have a significant effect on clinical outcome     

Anatomical Evaluation of Spinal Nerve and Cervical Intervertebral Foramina in Anterior Controllable Antedisplacement and Fusion Surgery: A Cadaveric and Radiologic Study

ObjectiveTo achieve the anatomical evaluation of spinal nerve and cervical intervertebral foramina in anterior controllable antedisplacement and fusion (ACAF) surgery, a novel surgical technique with the wider decompression, through a cadaveric and radiologic study.MethodsRadiographic data of consecutive 47 patients (21 by ACAF and 26 by anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion [ACCF]) who have accepted surgery for treatment of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL) and stenosis from March 2017 to March 2018 were retrospectively reviewed and compared between an ACAF group and ACCF group. Three postoperative radiographic parameters were evaluated: the decompression width and the satisfaction rate of decompression at the entrance zone of intervertebral foramina on computed tomography (CT), and the transverse diameter of spinal cord in the decompression levels on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the anatomic study, three fresh cadaveric spines (death within 3 months) undergoing ACAF surgery were also studied. Four anatomic parameters were evaluated: the width of groove, the distance between the bilateral origins of ventral rootlets, the length of ventral rootlet from their origin to the intervertebral foramina, the descending angle of ventral rootlet.ResultsThe groove created in ACAF surgery included the bilateral origins of ventral rootlets. The rootlets tended to be vertical from the rostral to the caudal direction as their takeoff points from the central thecal sac became higher and farther away from their corresponding intervertebral foramina gradually. No differences were identified between left and right in terms of the length of ventral rootlet from the origin to the intervertebral foramina and the descending angle of ventral rootlet. The decompression width was significantly greater in ACAF group (19.2 ± 1.2 vs 14.7 ± 1.2, 21.3 ± 2.2 vs 15.4 ± 0.9, 21.5 ± 2.1 vs 15.7 ± 1.0, 21.9 ± 1.6 vs 15.9 ± 0.8, from C₃ to C₆). The satisfactory rate of decompression at the entrance zone of intervertebral foramina tended to be better in the left side in ACAF group (significant differences were identified in the left side at C_3/4, C_4/5, C_6/7 level, and in the right side at C_4/5 level when compared with ACCF). And decompression width was significantly greater than the transverse diameter of spinal cord in ACAF group. Comparatively, there existed no significant difference in the ACCF group besides the C₅ level.ConclusionACAF can decompress the entrance zone of intervertebral foramina effectively and its decompression width includes the origins and massive running part of bilateral ventral rootlets. Due to its wider decompression range, ACAF can be used as a revision strategy for the patients with failed ACCF.     

IL-6、ESR、CRP在腹主动脉瘤诊治中的应用

目的 探讨白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、红细胞沉降率(ESR)、C反应蛋白(CRP)在腹主动脉瘤疾病中的诊治意义.方法 检测2014年6月-2016年5月在新疆维吾尔自治区人民医院血管外科就诊的62例腹主动脉瘤患者白细胞介素-6、红细胞沉降率、C反应蛋白水平.结果 白细胞介素-6、红细胞沉降率和C反应蛋白在合并症组(n=35)与无合并症组(n=27)比较差异无统计学意义(均P＞O.05).白细胞介素-6、红细胞沉降率、C反应蛋白两两相关分析结果证实为正相关.在破裂性腹主动脉瘤患者中,白细胞介素-6水平在特殊类型组(n=3)[(187.6±110.4) pg/ml]明显高于非特殊类型组(n=8)[(48.0±34.2) pg/ml].结论 术前完善白细胞介素-6、红细胞沉降率、C反应蛋白检测,结合患者病史、影像学检查,对于判断病因、选择手术方式、判断预后具有一定的指导意义.     

Comparison of WBC, ESR, CRP and PCT serum levels in septic and non-septic burn cases

Diagnosis of sepsis is difficult, particularly in cases of burn where signs of sepsis may be present in the absence of a real infection. This study compared serum levels of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and white blood cell (WBC) among 60 burned people with and without infection, in order to assess the value of the information for diagnosis of sepsis. A significantly higher PCT level was observed in the septic group compared to those without sepsis (8.45+/-7.8 vs. 0.5+/-1.0, respectively, p<0.001); no significant differences were found in CRP or WBC levels, neutrophil count or ESR. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve in the diagnosis of sepsis was 0.97 for PCT (p<0.001) with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 89.3%. Non-survivors had a mean PCT level significantly higher than that of survivors. Thus the serum PCT level was a highly efficient laboratory parameter for the diagnosis of severe infectious complications after burn, but WBC, neutrophil, ESR and CRP levels were of little value.     

Diagnostic Value of Synovial White Blood Cell Count and Serum C-Reactive Protein for Acute Periprosthetic Joint Infection After Knee Arthroplasty

Background

The diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains difficult, particularly in acute postoperative stage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the optimal cutoff value of synovial white blood cell (WBC) count, percentage of polymorphonuclear cells, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein (CRP) for diagnosing early postoperative infection after knee joint arthroplasty.

椎弓根系统内固定前路植骨融合治疗脊柱结核合并后凸畸形

目的 :总结应用椎弓根系统内固定加前路植骨融合术治疗脊柱结核合并后凸畸形的临床效果。方法 :回顾分析 1997年 3月～ 2 0 0 0年 10月行椎弓根系统内固定加前路植骨融合术治疗的脊柱结核合并后凸畸形患者 44例 ,对于胸椎或胸腰椎结核 ,采用单切口双入路 ,以使病灶和内固定器隔开。观察内容包括植骨融合率、后凸畸形矫正状况及截瘫恢复情况。随访时间 1.5～ 4.5年 ,平均 3 .0年。结果 :术后 1年患者均显示骨性融合 ;术后后凸畸形平均矫正 2 6 .7°。1.5～ 4.5年后随访 ,后凸角度平均丢失 3 .0° ;2 8例合并截瘫患者中 ,症状改善 2 5例 ,改善率 89.3 %。结论 :后路椎弓根系统内固定加前路植骨融合能矫正后凸畸形 ,阻止后凸畸形进一步发展 ,加强脊柱的稳定性 ,促进截瘫恢复。     

粪钙卫蛋白含量和结肠炎活动性之间的关系及临床应用价值

目的探讨溃疡性结肠炎（UC）患者粪钙卫蛋白含量（Fecal calprotectin content,FCC）和结肠活动性之间的关系,以明确粪钙卫蛋白作为炎症性肠病诊断标志物的临床价值。方法肠镜确诊的UC患者45例,肠镜前/后留取5g粪便用ELISA测定FCC;并检ESR和CRP。炎症活动性根据内镜和病理学标准判断。肠镜正常的18例门诊病例作为对照。结果活动期UC组FCC（578.5μg/g）显著高于缓解期（10.84μg/g,P〈0.01）和正常对照（4.94μg/g,P〈0.01）,后两者之间差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;缓解期与活动期各级（I、Ⅱ、Ⅲ期）差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）;FCC与活动期UC内镜分级显著相关（r=0.965,P〈0.01）,CRP和ESR与内镜分级的相关系数低于FCC。结论 FCC与内镜分级标准具有较好的相关性,可客观反映UC的炎症活动情况,比血清学指标ESR和CRP更敏感和特异;而且是一种方便无创的检查方法,可以弥补内镜检查痛苦大、价格高、不宜反复检查的不足,具有临床推广价值。     

穿刺活检及联合检测提高脊柱感染病原学诊断的准确性

目的 探讨穿刺活检及联合检测在脊柱感染病原学诊断中的应用价值。方法 选取2022年8月至2023年8月山东省公共卫生临床中心脊柱感染外科收治的287例疑似脊柱感染病人,行“C”型臂X线机引导下的穿刺活检,组织标本送联合检测（培养、涂片、基因和病理检查）。以临床结果为金标准,计算并对比单纯培养和联合检测的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值和阴性预测值,绘制ROC曲线,计算曲线下面积（AUC）。结果 287次活检均穿刺顺利,包含238份椎间盘标本,49份椎骨标本。临床病原学结果：结核分枝杆菌54例,布鲁氏菌59例,一般细菌153例,非结核分枝杆菌5例、真菌3例;联合检测与单纯培养的敏感度分别为92.17%、58.15%,特异度分别为95.56%、91.65%,阳性预测值分别为98.77%、96.32%,阴性预测值分别为51.82%、91.25%。联合检测的敏感度和阴性预测值均高于单纯培养（P＜0.05）。联合检测病原学诊断的AUC明显高于单纯培养（0.87 vs. 0.58）,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 “C”型臂X线机引导下穿刺活检是脊柱感染明确病原学诊断的重要手段,单纯培养有一定的漏诊率和误诊率,联合检测可提高诊断效率。     

后路两种内固定装置联合应用治疗腰椎滑脱的临床疗效分析

目的 分析两种内固定联合应用治疗腰椎滑脱是否有效提高临床疗效。方法 对手术治疗的腰椎滑脱135例进行调查,所有病例均采用腰椎后路手术,其中采用单纯植骨融合术21例,采用椎弓根钉固定复位装置加植骨融合术85例,应用椎弓根钉复位装置和螺纹椎体融合器(TFC)联合固定29例。术后随访时间为3个月至3年。结果 应用内固定复位装置的病人术后滑脱复位率、椎间隙高度均明显提高;且术后6个月后,联合内固定装置可有效提高椎体融合率而降低患者腰痛及椎体滑脱复发率。结论 坚强的内固定和有效的椎体融合术是治疗腰椎滑脱的关键,联合内固定为临床治疗腰椎滑脱提供了一条新的、可行的途径。     

Biomechanical Evaluation of the Cross‐link Usage and Position in the Single and Multiple Segment Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

ObjectivePrevious studies have neither explored the usage of cross‐links nor investigated the optimal position of the cross‐links in posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). This study evaluates biomechanical properties of cross‐links in terms of different fixation segments and optimal position in single‐ and multi‐segment posterior lumbar interbody fusion.MethodsTwo finite element (FE) models of instrumented lumbosacral spine with single‐(L4/5) and multi‐segment (L3‐S1) PLIF surgery were simulated. On the basis of the two models, the benefits of the usage of cross‐links were assessed and compared with the status of no application of cross‐links. Moreover, the effects of position of cross‐links on multi‐segment PLIF surgery were studied in Upper, Middle, and Lower positions.ResultsNo significant difference was found in the range of motion (ROM), intersegmental rotational angle (IRA) of adjacent segments, and intradiscal pressure (IDP) regardless of the usage of cross‐links in the single‐segment PLIF surgery, while the cross‐link increased the maximum von Mises stress in the fixation (MSF) under the axial rotation (53.65 MPa vs 41.42 MPa). In the multi‐segment PLIF surgery, the usage of cross‐links showed anti‐rotational advantages indicated by ROM (Without Cross‐link 2.35^o, Upper, 2.24^o; Middle, 2.26^o; Lower, 2.30^o) and IRA (Without Cross‐link 1.19^o, Upper, 1.08^o; Middle, 1.09^o; Lower, 1.13^o). The greatest values of MSF were found in without cross‐link case under the flexion, lateral bending, and axial rotation (37.48, 62.61, and 86.73 MPa). The application of cross‐links at the Middle and Lower positions had lower values of MSF (48.79 and 69.62 MPa) under the lateral bending and axial rotation, respectively.ConclusionThe application of cross‐links was not beneficial for the single‐segment PLIF, while it was found highly advantageous for the multi‐segment PLIF. Moreover, the usage of cross‐links at the Middle or Lower positions resulted in a better biomechanical stability.     

Clinical outcomes of percutaneous suction aspiration and drainage for the treatment of infective spondylodiscitis with paravertebral or epidural abscess

Background Context

Patients with infective spondylodiscitis who failed conservative treatment are generally indicated for open surgery. However, some patients are poor candidates for standard surgery, hence the need to evaluate less invasive approaches. Good outcomes were previously reported for percutaneous suction aspiration and drainage (PSAD) in the treatment of infective spondylodiscitis resistant to conservative therapy. We recently extended the surgical approach of PSAD to allow drainage of paravertebral or epidural abscesses in patients with progressive infective spondylodiscitis.

Converting Between High- and Low-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in the Assessment of Periprosthetic Joint Infection

Although low-sensitivity CRP (Ls-CRP) is an important tool for evaluating infected orthopedic prostheses, no clinical studies have evaluated whether Hs-CRP is a suitable surrogate for Ls-CRP or other traditional infection biomarkers. The laboratory data of 98 arthroplasty patients with suspected prosthetic infection were reviewed. Hs-CRP was highly correlated with Ls-CRP (R = 0.93). ROC analysis generated 100% sensitivity and 97% specificity for both Hs-CRP and Ls-CRP at optimal cutoffs of 28.6 and 2.6 mg/dL, respectively. Both CRP tests were more accurate than serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate, neutrophil differential, and white blood cell count. Hs-CRP was no different from Ls-CRP after unit conversion, and regression analyses suggested conversion factors that approximated 10. Hs-CRP and Ls-CRP have equivalent utility in the diagnosis of infected joint arthroplasty.