Native joint infections caused by Parvimonas micra.

Parvimonas micra is an anaerobic, fastidious, gram positive organism commonly found in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. It has been increasingly reported as the cause of septic arthritis of native joints, often times with delayed diagnosis leading to increased morbidity. Risk factors include immunosuppression, inflammation of the joint, and recent dental procedures or infections. It has been a historically difficult organism to culture. However, the development of and increasing use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) has led to increased identification of P. micra. Common antibiotic susceptibilities, as well as data regarding susceptibilities in specific situations, have been reported, but susceptibility testing is required in all cases. Common treatments include clindamycin, penicillin, and metronidazole for six to ten weeks.

Sacral insufficiency fracture after lumbosacral decompression and fusion.

Sacral insufficiency fracture is becoming increasingly recognized as a complication of lumbosacral fusion, due to alteration of spinal biomechanics. Recognition of patient presentation is important because plain films may initially be negative with this complication. This case series of seven sacral insufficiency fractures following lumbosacral fusion characterizes key characteristics of presentation and management for sacral insufficiency fracture following lumbosacral fusion, which does not have a clearly defined algorithm for treatment. These seven fractures presented with initial complaints of back pain, lower extremity radicular symptoms, or a combination of the two. All identified fractures in this series were located below the inferior-most level of the fusion construct. Cross-sectional imaging such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was utilized in each case to make the diagnosis of sacral insufficiency fracture. Management depends on the patient's presentation, symptoms, and fracture pattern, but treatment options include operative revision surgery and nonoperative modalities such as a standard rehabilitation protocol, lumbar bracing, and bone stimulators with close follow-up.

Treatment for sacral insufficiency fractures: A systematic review.

Intro: Sacral insufficiency fractures after lumbosacral fusion continue to establish themselves as a rare complication after surgery. The diagnosis can often be missed due to inconclusive imaging and non-specific symptoms. In the literature, the treatment of sacral insufficiency fractures varies from non-operative and conservative management to surgical intervention with lumbopelvic fixation. Methods: We performed a systematic review searching the PubMed database using sacral insufficiency fracture treatment after lumbosacral fusion and sacral insufficiency fracture after posterior spinal instrumentation as keywords. Results: This search strategy identified 32 publications from the PubMed database for literature review. After evaluating the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 17 articles were included in the review. 65% of sacral insufficiency fractures were managed surgically with 35% of patients proceeding with non-operative, conservative management only. Revision surgery always involved sacropelvic fixation which typically led to immediate resolution or reduction of symptoms, with the exception of 2 cases that did not receive adequate reduction of symptoms. Five cases reported failed non-operative management that subsequently responded to revision surgery. Conclusion: Outcomes after non-operative management usually leads to symptom resolution; however has a slower symptom relief time as well as a higher chance of failed treatment. Operative outcomes, generally with a variation of sacropelvic fixation lead to immediate symptom resolution and very rarely failed treatment. Clinicians must always maintain a high index of suspicion of new onset lower back or sacral pain after lumbosacral surgery and order a CT scan to rule out a potential insufficiency fracture. Objectives: The objective of this study was to review the literature to examine treatment options for sacral insufficiency fractures after lumbosacral fusion in order to improve clinical practice and management. This systematic review of the literature regarding treatment of sacral insufficiency fractures will assist clinicians in making the accurate diagnosis and devise a strategic treatment plan for patients with sacral insufficiency fractures after spinal instrumentation.