Multilevel Corpectomy With Anterior Column Reconstruction and Plating for Subaxial Cervical Osteomyelitis

Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2016 Sep 15;41(18):E1088-E1095. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000001557.

Abstract

Study design: A retrospective case series.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate patients with cervical spine osteomyelitis who underwent multilevel (≥2) subaxial corpectomies and anterior column reconstruction and plating.

Summary of background data: Neglected multilevel subaxial cervical osteomyelitis is a potentially dangerous disease. As it is rare, early radiographic and clinical outcomes after multilevel anterior corpectomy and reconstruction for subaxial cervical osteomyelitis are incompletely defined.

Methods: Adults who underwent multilevel corpectomy and anterior plating/reconstruction for subaxial cervical osteomyelitis at two institutions were reviewed. Analysis of patient demographics, operative details, and radiographic cervical alignment parameters [segmental kyphosis, cervical lordosis, C2-7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA)] was performed.

Results: Nineteen patients [15 males, four females; average age 48 years (20-81 yrs)] met inclusion criteria. The majority had pre-operative neurologic deficits or was immunosuppressed. All were treated with ≥6 weeks of intravenous antibiotics following operation. All had anterior plating/reconstruction with titanium cages (expandable-6; mesh-6) or structural bone graft (fibular allogaft-6; tricortical iliac crest-1). The average number of corpectomies was 2.4 (2-4). The average numbers of levels fused anteriorly was 4.4 (4-6) and posteriorly was 6.3 (4-9). The majority of patients (74%) was treated with an anterior/posterior approach. Average follow-up was 16 ± 9 months. There was significant improvement in all cervical alignment parameters (segmental kyphosis, C2-7 SVA, cervical lordosis). No intraoperative complications occurred and no patient deteriorated neurologically postoperatively. Postoperative complications included anterior cage/graft dislodgement (n = 2), recurrent neck hematomas requiring revision (n = 1), epidural hematoma (n = 1), and wound infection (n = 1). Sixty percent of patients had persistent neurologic dysfunction at final follow-up. None required reoperation for recurrent infection or pseudarthrosis.

Conclusion: Although overall prognosis and neurologic recovery are guarded in medically fragile patients with multilevel subaxial cervical osteomyelitis, reconstruction with multilevel (≥2) corpectomy and anterior reconstruction/plating results in excellent restoration of cervical alignment and low rates of recurrent infection and pseudarthrosis.

Level of evidence: 4.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bone Plates
  • Cervical Vertebrae / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lordosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Lordosis / surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Orthopedic Procedures / methods*
  • Osteomyelitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteomyelitis / surgery*
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / methods*
  • Radiography
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Spinal Fusion / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult