Percutaneous management of pyogenic spondylodiscitis using absorbable antibiotic carrier (STIMULAN®): preliminary results from a single-center study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Infectious Diseases
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Spondylodiscitis (SD) is a serious spinal infection requiring effective treatment.
• Targeted antibiotic delivery aims to improve efficacy and reduce systemic side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a fully resorbable antibiotic carrier (STIMULAN®) for targeted treatment of spondylodiscitis (SD).
• To assess the safety and clinical outcomes of percutaneous injection of antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate paste into the infection site.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 13 patients diagnosed with SD between 2022 and 2024.
• Percutaneous osteo-discal biopsy followed by intradiscal and intravertebral injection of tailored antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate paste.
• Outcomes monitored via VAS scores, CRP, leukocyte counts, and MRI imaging up to 12 months.

Main Results:

• 100% technical success rate with no major complications reported.
• Significant reduction in pain (VAS scores decreased from 8.2 to 3.5).
• Marked improvement in inflammatory markers, with CRP levels dropping significantly (p ≈ 0.00005).

Conclusions:

• STIMULAN® facilitates safe and effective local antibiotic delivery for spondylodiscitis.
• The treatment demonstrated meaningful clinical and biomarker improvements.
• Larger multicenter studies are recommended to confirm long-term efficacy.