Spontaneous spinal discitis and spondylodiscitis: Clinicotherapeutic remarks

Spinal infections are rare (their incidence is estimated in about the 5% of all osteomyelitis) and severe pathologies. They are usually identified with different names, as disk space infection, spondylodiscitis, and vertebral osteomyelitis. Spondylodiscitis is the most frequent among spinal infections. The etiology might be due to bacteria, fungi, and parasites and might affect many anatomical structures. The reported incidence is increased in the last years.[1,2] The disease can be classified according to the involved anatomical structure: Vertebral osteomyelitis Discitis and spondylodiscitis Spinal canal infections Adjacent soft tissue infections. In adult patients, the terms osteomyeliti…

Recurrent lumbar disc herniation: Is there a correlation with the surgical technique? A multivariate analysis

Purpose: The recurrence of a lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common cause of poor outcome following lumbar discectomy. The aim of this study was to assess a potential relationship between the incidence of recurrent LDH and the surgical technique used. Furthermore, we tried to define the best surgical technique for the treatment of recurrent LDH to limit subsequent recurrences. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 979 consecutive patients treated for LDH. A multivariate analysis tried to identify a possible correlation between (1) the surgical technique used to treat the primary LDH and its recurrence; (2) technique used to treat the recurrence of LDH and the secon…

Comment on “Controversies about Interspinous Process Devices in the Treatment of Degenerative Lumbar Spine Diseases: Past, Present, and Future”