Proximal Junctional Spondylodiscitis Following Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: Case Series and Review of the Literature
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* Joseph R. Mendelis
* Nicole J. Hung
* Vedat Deviren
* Christopher P. Ames
* Aaron J. Clark
* Alekos A. Theologis

## Abstract

**Background** Proximal junctional failure (PJF) following multilevel thoracolumbar instrumented to the pelvis for adult spinal deformity (ASD) is relatively uncommon but considerably disabling. While the leading etiology is mechanical, other rarer etiologies can play a role in its development. The purpose of this study was to present a case series of ASD patients who experienced PJF secondary to proximal junctional spondylodiscitis (PJS) after long-segment thoracolumbar posterior instrumented fusions.

**Methods** Adult patients who underwent posterior instrumented fusions at a single academic center between 2017 and 2020 and subsequently developed PJS were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, operative details, clinical presentation, culture data, and management approach were evaluated.

**Results** Three patients developed PJS and were included for analysis (mean age 67 years [range, 58–76]; women: 2). Indication for all index operations was symptomatic ASD after failed conservative management. Clinical presentation ranged from mild back pain to severe neurological compromise. Average time to infection and PJF after the index procedure was 11 months (range, 3 months–2 years). All 3 patients were successfully managed with urgent revision surgery including surgical debridement and postoperative antibiotics.

**Conclusion** PJS is a rare yet potentially devastating complication following long-segment posterior thoracolumbar instrumented fusions for ASD. It is critical that surgeons maintain a high index of suspicion of infection when managing PJF given the potential neurological morbidity of PJS.

**Clinical Relevance** This report highlights a rare but important cause of PJF following ASD surgery. It is critical that one maintains a high index of suspicion of infection when managing PJF.

**Level of Evidence** 4.

*   proximal junctional spondylodiscitis
*   proximal junctional failure
*   proximal junctional kyphosis
*   adult spinal deformity
*   infection

## INTRODUCTION

Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and proximal junctional failure (PJF) are well-described complications following long thoracolumbar posterior spinal instrumented fusions for treatment of adult spinal deformity (ASD).1–3 While PJK was originally defined as a radiologic finding, it has more recently been understood as a spectrum of clinical diagnoses that can lead to significant pain and disability.4–7 Although there is currently no consensus definition of PJF, 2 proposed definitions exist: the first as any case of PJK requiring revision surgery and the second as PJK with structural failure of the posterior osseoligamentous complex and/or vertebral body.8–10 Commonly identified mechanisms leading to PJF include trauma, instrumentation pullout, fracture, and soft tissue failure.3,9–12 

While there is a large body of literature dedicated to PJK and PJF following ASD surgery, there are limited published reports of proximal junctional spondylodiscitis (PJS) leading to PJK/PJF.12–17 In this study, we present a series of 3 patients diagnosed with PJS following long posterior spinal instrumented fusions for ASD.

## METHODS

The medical records of 3 adult patients who underwent posterior instrumented fusions between 2017 and 2020 and subsequently developed PJS were retrospectively reviewed. Indication for all 3 index procedures was symptomatic ASD after failed conservative management. Details of each case are presented below and summarized in the Table.

View this table:
[Table](https://www.ijssurgery.com/content/early/2022/07/01/8327/T1)

Table 
Demographic and clinical summary of presented cases of proximal junctional spondylodiscitis.

### Case 1

A 58-year-old woman with a past medical history of anemia and scoliosis presented with chronic, severe worsening back pain and sagittal imbalance secondary to adult idiopathic scoliosis (Figure 1). She underwent anterior lumbar interbody fusion at L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 followed by a posterior instrumented fusion from T4 to S1 with bilateral iliac fixation, iliac crest autogenous bone graft, posterior column osteotomies from T6 to S1, and a posterior ligamentous repair from T3 to T5 in a staged manner (Figure 1). Her surgical wound was closed by the plastic surgery service with bilateral paraspinous muscle flap advancements. There were no complications, and her initial postoperative course was uncomplicated. She was discharged home on hospital day 13.

![Figure 1](https://www.ijssurgery.com/http://www.ijssurgery.com/content/ijss/early/2022/07/01/8327/F1.medium.gif)

[Figure 1](https://www.ijssurgery.com/content/early/2022/07/01/8327/F1)

Figure 1 
Preoperative (A) and initial standing postoperative radiographs (B). Follow-up radiographs demonstrating proximal junctional failure (C). T2 magnetic resonance image with metal artifact suppression demonstrating instrumentation failure with pedicle screw in the spinal canal (D). Note increased signal in the proximal junctional disc space (asterisk) (D). Standing radiographs at final follow-up (E).

Three months after her index operation, she presented to the emergency room with significant back pain and difficulty with ambulation. This progressed to bilateral lower extremity weakness with episodes of bowel and bladder incontinence. Radiographs and computed tomography imaging at that time were notable for PJK with instrumentation failure (Figure 1), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed thoracic spinal cord compression secondary to instrumentation migration (Figure 1). Preoperative laboratory results were notable for a white blood cell count (WBC) of 7.3 (normal range, 3.4–10.0). As infection was not considered at that time, no inflammatory markers were drawn. Due to instrumentation failure causing acute neurologic deficit, urgent revision surgery was indicated. To address the PJK/PJF and neurological symptoms, she underwent removal of instrumentation and extension of fusion to C7.

Intraoperatively, after dissection was carried down to bone at the superior aspect of her previously placed instrumentation, gross purulent material was noted and cultures were obtained. The wound was copiously irrigated, and revision instrumentation was placed. The wound was closed with a plan to return to the operating room after a course of antibiotics for a full debridement and definitive closure with the plastic surgery team, as the surgical team was not prepared to definitively manage the incidentally found infection at that time. Retrospective review of the preoperative MRI was notable for increased signal in the T3-T4 disc (Figure 1D). Six days later, the patient was taken back to the operating room for a formal debridement and complex wound closure by plastic surgery. All cultures from the surgical site grew *Staphylococcus aureus*. After consultation with the infectious disease service, she was treated with oral rifampin and 2 weeks of intravenous cefazolin followed by oral ciprofloxacin for a total of 12 weeks. Her final radiographs showed no evidence of instrumentation complication (Figure 1). At 1 year follow-up, she was without recurrence of infection, and her neurological status was normal.

### Case 2

A 68-year-old man with a past medical history of an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, asthma, and hypertension presented with 1 year of worsening severe back pain, degenerative disc disease, and degenerative scoliosis that failed conservative management (Figure 2). He underwent a posterior spinal instrumented fusion from T10 to sacrum with bilateral iliac fixation, iliac crest autogenous bone graft, posterior column osteotomies from T12 to S1, vertebroplasty of T9 and T10, and a posterior ligamentous repair from T9 to T11 followed by an anterior lumbar interbody fusion at L4-L5 and L5-S1 in a staged manner (Figure 2). There were no complications. His postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged home on the sixth hospital day.

![Figure 2](https://www.ijssurgery.com/http://www.ijssurgery.com/content/ijss/early/2022/07/01/8327/F2.medium.gif)

[Figure 2](https://www.ijssurgery.com/content/early/2022/07/01/8327/F2)

Figure 2 
Preoperative (A) and initial standing postoperative radiographs (B). Follow-up radiographs demonstrating proximal junctional failure (C). T2 magnetic resonance image demonstrating T9 and T10 compression fractures and discitis at T7-T8 and T8-T9 with adjacent epidural abscess (D). Standing radiographs at final follow-up (E).

One year before presentation, he reportedly had an infection involving his cervical spine instrumentation requiring admission at an outside hospital, and he was treated with intravenous cefazolin. Approximately 11 months ago, he reported new-onset thoracic back pain that worsened 1 month prior to presentation. He was undergoing medical workup for an aortic aneurysm whenT7-T8 endplate irregularity and soft tissue swelling concerning for spondylodiscitis were incidentally found. Radiographs at that time were notable for PJK with a compression fracture at the T9 and T10 levels (Figure 2). MRI was notable for increased T2 signal in the T7-T8, T8-T9, and T9-T10 disc spaces as well as endplate irregularity and T7-T8 concerning for spondylodiscitis (Figure 2). There was additionally a contrast enhancing epidural fluid collection ventrally and to the left of the spinal cord causing mass effect on the spinal cord from T6 to T7 (Figure 2). At the time of imaging at an outside hospital, he was started on antibiotics. He was then transferred to our hospital, at which time he reported midthoracic back pain but denied constitutional and neurologic symptoms. Preoperative laboratory results were notable for the following: WBC was 7.6 (normal range, 3.4–10.0); platelets, 538 (normal range, 140–450); erythrocyte sedimentation rate, 46 (normal range, <10); and C-reactive protein (CRP), 14.7 (normal range, <5.1). Blood cultures demonstrated no growth. Revision surgery was indicated, and he was taken to the operating room where he underwent removal of his proximal instrumentation, T6-T10 laminectomy and debridement of abscess, and extension of his spinal fusion to the T4 level with complex wound closure by plastic surgery. His postoperative cultures showed no growth, which was thought to be related to preoperative administration of antibiotics. His postoperative course was notable for the drainage of clear fluid from a portion of his wound that resolved without surgical intervention. Samples of the drainage did not grow any organisms. Despite negative cultures, he was treated empirically with intravenous vancomycin and ceftriaxone for 6 weeks followed by indefinite suppression with minocycline. At 3-month follow-up, he was without back pain, his incision was healed, CRP was normalized (4.0; normal range, <5.1), and radiographs showed no evidence of instrumentation failure (Figure 2).

### Case 3

A 76-year-old woman with a medical history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rheumatoid arthritis, pulmonary embolism, and chronic right femoral deep vein thrombosis presented as a transfer from an outside hospital. Her surgical history was notable for posterior spinal instrumented fusion from T11 to L5 with an L5-S1 anterior lumbar interbody fusion 6 months prior to presentation. Three months prior to presentation, she reported severe back pain. On arrival, she had severe back pain that was present with sitting upright and relieved when laying down. Presenting laboratory results were notable for the following: WBC was 13.5 (normal range, 3.4–10.0); platelets, 354 (normal range, 140–450); and CRP, 71.4 (normal range, <7.5). Blood cultures demonstrated no growth. MRI demonstrated PJF from vertebral fractures at T10 and T11, T10-T11 disc erosion and increased T2 signal, and dorsal epidural fluid collection from T9 to T12 causing severe epidural spinal cord compression (Figure 3). She had an incomplete spinal cord injury (ASIA B) consisting of a T10 sensory level and profound bilateral lower extremity weakness (0 out of 5 strength in iliopsoas, quadriceps, and toe and foot dorsiflexors and plantarflexors). Given her mechanical instability, need for source control, and incomplete spinal cord injury, she was indicated for revision surgery to include removal of instrumentation from T11 to T12, laminectomy with complete facetectomies from T9 to T12, complete resection of the T10 and T11 vertebral bodies via a lateral extracavitary approach, anterior column reconstruction with an expandable titanium cage, and revision posterior fusion to the T5 level (Figure 3). Intraoperative cultures grew methicillin-resistant *S aureus*. Her postoperative course was complicated by the development of a sacral ulcer requiring operative debridement with cultures consistent with a polymicrobial infection. She was treated with intravenous daptomycin and meropenem with oral rifabutin. She was discharged to a skilled nursing facility on hospital day 28. Neurological examination on discharge and during follow-up was stable. Unfortunately, she died approximately 1 year after surgery of cardiac arrest secondary to COVID-19 infection.

![Figure 3](https://www.ijssurgery.com/http://www.ijssurgery.com/content/ijss/early/2022/07/01/8327/F3.medium.gif)

[Figure 3](https://www.ijssurgery.com/content/early/2022/07/01/8327/F3)

Figure 3 
Sagittal (A) and axial (B) T2 magnetic resonance images on presentation demonstrating discitis with osteomyelitis and epidural abscess of T10 and T11. Initial postoperative supine radiographs (C).

## DISCUSSION

PJK and PJF are well-recognized complications following long posterior thoracolumbar fusion with instrumentation for treatment of ASD.2,4–6 While PJK is a progressive process that captures a spectrum of clinical presentations, acute PJF is a distinct diagnosis that is particularly dangerous given the potential for severe neurological injury. The incidence of PJF following surgical management of ASD ranges from 1.4% to 5.6%.10,15 Hart et al identified fracture as the most common cause of PJF (56%) followed by soft tissue failure (35%) and screw pullout (9%).12 Hostin et al found significant associations between fracture and acute PJF in the thoracolumbar region (*P* = 0.00) and soft tissue failure and acute PJF in the upper thoracic region (*P* < 0.02).10 

Infection has rarely been discussed as a cause of PJF following ASD surgery. Currently, there are 3 published studies that describe PJS leading to PJF: a case report presenting a single patient who developed spondylodiscitis after pedicle subtraction osteotomy for sagittal imbalance, a case series of 2 immunosuppressed patients who developed tuberculous spondylodiscitis leading to PJK, and a case series of 2 patients who presented with PJF accompanied by delayed infection after T10-pelvis posterior instrumented fusions for ASD.16–18 To our knowledge, our study is the largest case series describing PJF secondary to PJS following long posterior thoracolumbar fusion with instrumentation for management of ASD. Our series, similar to that by Iwami et al,18 is unique in that all patients were immunocompetent.

Although PJF is considered to be an early postoperative complication, our series suggests that the timing of presentation of PJF secondary to PJS is perhaps more varied. Previous studies noted that PJF was diagnosed on an average of 3 months after surgery with revision surgery occurring within 7 months after the index operation, if necessary.10 Yagi et al found that the mean time to revision surgery after PJF was 10 months with 87% of revisions occurring within 2 years postoperatively.15 In our series, we observed variable timing in the presentation of PJF secondary to PJS, with patients presenting at 3 months, 6 months, and 2 years after their index operations. Despite the delayed presentations, urgent operative intervention occurred after diagnosis of infection in each case. Furthermore, in Mallepally et al’s case series of 2 patients with PJF secondary to tuberculous spondylodiscitis, both patients presented 4 months after initial thoracolumbar instrumentation for osteoporotic vertebral fractures.16 Formica et al reported a more acute presentation of a single patient who presented with spondylodiscitis 6 weeks after an index operation for treatment of ASD.17 In the case series by Iwami et al, the patients presented 12 and 13 months postoperatively with PJF and associated discitis/osteomyelitis.18 These combined cases suggest that with an infectious cause of PJF, patients may present in a variable and delayed fashion, but revision surgery may occur in a similar timeframe compared with PJF secondary to more established causes. Additionally, that all our patients’ neurological examinations remained stable and/or improved after surgery support an early surgical approach to avoid neurologic deterioration, particularly since the infection is at cord level.

Possible etiologies of PJS include hematogenous seeding, direct infection of instrumentation, and local spread. While we could not determine the exact causes of infection in our series, we observed certain associations. In case 1, PJS was associated with instrumentation infection. Given the intraoperative gross purulence observed adjacent to prior instrumentation, positive surgical site cultures for *S aureus*, and retrospective review of preoperative imaging showing increased signal at the proximal junctional intervertebral disc, it is likely that spondylodiscitis and instrumentation infection existed concomitantly. However, it is unclear whether the instrumentation infection or the proximal junctional intervertebral disc was the primary nidus of infection.

In case 2, PJS was accompanied by an epidural abscess and pathologic fracture of the unfused adjacent segment (UIV +1). Additionally, the patient had a history of cervical spine instrumentation infection the year prior to presentation. The delayed, occult presentation (incidental finding 2 years after index operation) and spondylodiscitis observed are suggestive of latent infection due to hematogenous seeding. Bose discussed hematogenous seeding of low-virulence organisms as a mechanism of delayed infection following spinal instrumentation particularly with remote history of infection.19 

In case 3, there were pathological fractures of the upper instrumented vertebra and UIV +1 and spondylodiscitis of the UIV +1 intervertebral disc. UIV +1 fractures are thought to result from increased stress concentration on unfused segments.1 This stress concentration phenomenon could also explain higher infectious risk through hematogenous seeding, as Formica et al hypothesized that increased biomechanical stresses at the proximal junctional intervertebral disc may lead to hyperemia and thus higher infectious risk.17 It is possible that this case also resulted from hematogenous seeding.

## CONCLUSIONS

While rare, PJS can be a devastating complication following long posterior instrumented fusions for ASD. PJK and PJF secondary to PJS can present in a delayed and variable fashion that extends beyond the acute postoperative period that typically characterizes PJF. Its presence may be associated with neurologic deficit from pathologic fracture or epidural abscess, which may both require urgent surgical intervention. While infection may become apparent during preoperative workup of PJF, this may not always be the case as imaging findings such as fracture-associated T2 hyperintensity on MRI may make the diagnosis of infection more difficult. Given possible occult presentation and high potential morbidity of PJS, we suggest that surgeons maintain a high level of suspicion for infection when encountering PJF, including obtaining MRI with contrast and infectious markers, as well as taking an early surgical approach to avoid neurologic deterioration.

## Footnotes

*   **Funding** The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

*   **Declaration of Conflicting Interests** The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

*   **Disclosures** Joseph Mendelis and Nicole Hung have nothing to disclose. Vedat Deviren is a con-sultant for and receives royalties from Alphatec Spine. Christopher Ames receives royalties from Stryker, Zimmer-Biomet, DePuy Synthes, Nuvasive, Next Orthosurgical, K2M, and Medicrea. He also discloses consulting fees from DePuy Synthes, Medtronic, and K2M and receives research support from Titan Spine and Depuy Synthes. Aaron Clark discloses consulting fees and research support from Nuvasive. Alekos Theologis discloses research support from Stryker/K2M, royalties from Alphatec Spine, consulting fees from Depuy Spine, Alphatec Spine, SpineArt, Stryker/K2M, Surgalign, and Restor3D, as well as being on the surgeon advisory board for Ulrich Medical.

*   **Ethics Approval** The study was approved by our institutional review board. The study was performed in accordance with the ethical standards as laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

*   This manuscript is generously published free of charge by ISASS, the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery. Copyright © 2022 ISASS. To see more or order reprints or permissions, see [http://ijssurgery.com](http://ijssurgery.com).

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