Low-grade Infections of the Intervertebral Discs

Kepler University Hospital

Status: Completed

Conditions: Disc Degeneration

Treatments: Diagnostic Test: Microbiological culture, viral PCR, histopathological analysis

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04712487

EK1078/2018

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this prospective, observational study was to evaluate frequency and characteristics of low-grade infections of the intervertebral discs in an unselected real-life patient population undergoing surgery for degenerative pathologies of the spine.

Full description

Low-grade infection of the intervertebral discs, causing disc degeneration and consecutive pain and disability is reported in literature. Microorganisms are also held responsible for Modic Changes of the vertebral bodies.

Patients underwent surgery for degenerative pathology of the spine independent of this study. After being informed about this study, all patients giving written informed consent who met eligibility requirements were included. Treatment of the patients was independent of this study. Intraoperative removed disc tissue was examined using microbiological culture, viral polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and histopathological analysis.

Other used data were demographic data (Gender, age), Modic Changes on MRI, preoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), preoperative Neck Disability Index (NDI), and preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP).

Frequency of positive microbiological culture findings, viral PCR, and inflammation signs in histopathological analysis was described, and statistical analysis was performed to identify if any of the above mentioned parameters influences the frequency of positive microbiological culture and Modic Changes significant.

Enrollment: 392 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Spine surgery including discectomy due to degenerative diseases
• Availability of removed disc tissue for further analysis

Exclusion criteria

• Signs of spondylodiscitis (clinical signs, inflammation parameters, radiological)
• Suspected or known tumor disease
• Traumatic fractures

Trial design

392 participants in 1 patient group

Routine discectomy

Description:

Patients undergoing routine spine surgery due to degenerative disease of the spine

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: Microbiological culture, viral PCR, histopathological analysis