Is posterior percutaneous screw-rod instrumentation a safe and effective alternative approach to TLSO rigid bracing for single-level pyogenic spondylodiscitis?
Posterior percutaneous spinal instrumentation is a safe, feasible, and effective procedure in relieving pain, preventing deformity, and neurologic compromise in patients affected by noncomplicated lower thoracic (T9-T12) or lumbar PS. Posterior instrumentation did not offer any advantage in healing time over TLSO rigid bracing because infection clearance is strongly dependent on proper antibiotic therapy. Nevertheless, surgical stabilization was associated with faster recovery, lower pain scores, and improved quality of life compared with TLSO conservative treatment at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment.
Hypothyroid patients referred to a specialized hospital unit were younger and marginally more hypothyroid than nonreferred patients. Thus, referral bias should always be considered in hospital-based studies of hypothyroid patients.