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Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Human Brucellar Spondylodiscitis
Published on: May 23, 2021
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Spondylodiscitis in Geriatric Patients: What Are the Issues?
Christian Herren1, Nicolas Heinz von der Hoeh2, Stefan Zwingenberger3
1Department of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, RWTH Aachen University, Germany.
Global Spine Journal
|April 21, 2023
Summary
Pyogenic spondylodiscitis affects older adults, with high mortality if untreated. Treatment focuses on pathogen detection, appropriate antibiotics, and minimizing immobilization for geriatric patients with comorbidities.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Infectious Diseases
- Geriatric Medicine
Background:
- Pyogenic spondylodiscitis incidence increases with age, peaking in those 75 years and older.
- Untreated pyogenic spondylodiscitis carries a high 1-year mortality rate of 15-20%.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of pyogenic spondylodiscitis in geriatric patients.
- To recommend diagnostic and treatment strategies for this population.
Main Methods:
- Systematic computerized literature search conducted by the German Society for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery's spondylodiscitis working group.
- Review article analyzing existing literature.
Main Results:
- Geriatric patients often present with less elevated inflammatory markers and require longer hospitalization and CRP normalization times.
- Outcomes for conservative and operative treatments are comparable after one year.
- Operative intervention is indicated for spinal instability, severe pain, epidural abscess, or neurological deficits.
Conclusions:
- Treatment must account for comorbidities common in geriatric patients.
- Key goals include resistance-based antibiotic therapy and minimizing patient immobilization.
Keywords:
comorbiditiesconservativegeriatric patientsoperativeresistance-based antibioticsspondylodiscitisMore Related Videos
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