Treatment of Thoracolumbar Spinal Infections through Anterolateral Approaches Using Expandable Titanium Mesh Cage for Spine Reconstruction

Table 1

This table shows general data regarding our patients including sex, age, origin, and presence of other pathology that can favourite the onset of infection. In the table are also indicated the affected levels, the responsible microorganisms, and the level treated whit stabilization. There are also summary data regarding pre-operative and post-operative neurological status valuated with Frankel Scale (Grade A: complete neurological injury—no motor or sensory function clinically detected below the level of the injury. Grade B: preserved sensation only—no motor function clinically detected below the level of the injury; sensory function remains below the level of the injury but may include only partial function (sacral sparing qualifies as preserved sensation). Grade C: preserved motor nonfunctional—some motor function observed below the level of the injury, but is of no practical use to the patient. Grade D: preserved motor function—useful motor function below the level of the injury; patient can move lower limbs and walk with or without aid, but does not have a normal gait or strength in all motor groups. Grade E: normal motor—no clinically detected abnormality in motor or sensory function with normal sphincter function; abnormal reflexes and subjective sensory abnormalities may be present. There are also summary data regarding duration of symptoms and duration of followup.

Patients	Sex	Age	Birth place	Comorbidity	Levels of infection	Organisms	Instrumented levels	Neurological status preop/postop	Followup	Duration of symptoms
1	M	56	Italy	Obesity, thoracic aortic prosthesis	T7–T9	Culture negative	T4–T12	C/D	18 months	2 weeks
2	M	75	Italy	Lumbar aorto-iliac prosthesis	L3–L5	Staphylococcus aureus	T11-ileum (sacro-iliac screw)	C/D	24 months	12 weeks
3	F	80	Italy	Diabetes mellitus	T7-T8	Staphylococcus aureus	T5–T10	E/E	33 months	4 weeks
4	M	61	Italy	Drug abuser	T8-T9	Culture negative	T6–T11	C/C	24 months	10 weeks
5	M	21	Somalia	Debility	T9	BK	T7–T11	E/E	48 months	16 weeks
6	M	34	Ethiopia	Debility	T11-T12	BK	Only anterior approach	D/E	36 months	12 weeks
7	M	35	Italy	Drug abuser	T9-T10	BK	T7–T12	C/E	23 months	3 weeks
8	F	64	Peru	None	L2-L3	Staphylococcus aureus	D11-S1 (spondilolistesi L5-S1)	E/E	40 months	12 weeks
9	M	59	Ethiopia	Diabetes mellitus	T7–T9	Culture negative	T5–T11	D/E	37 months	6 weeks
10	F	47	Kenya	Hiv+	T8-T9	Staphylococcus epidermidis	T6–T11	C/D	25 months	10 weeks
11	F	53	Italy	Thoracic aortic prosthesis	T11-T12	Culture negative	T9-L2	C/C	42 months	2 weeks
12	M	65	Somalia	Debility	T9-T10	Culture negative	T8–T11	D/E	30 months	8 weeks
13	M	48	Italy	None	L3-L4	Staphylococcus aureus	Only anterior approach	E/E	45 months	16 weeks
14	M	57	Romania	Alcohol abuser	L2-L3	Culture negative	T12-L5	A/A	28 months	1 week
15	F	69	Romania	Drug abuser	L3-L4	Culture negative	L1-S1	C/E	28 months	3 weeks
16	F	80	Italy	Diabetes mellitus	L2-L3	Staphylococcus epidermidis	T12-L5	D/E	44 months	12 weeks