The application of endoscopic debridement combined with metagenomic next-generation sequencing technology in primary spinal infections: a retrospective study.

purposeSpinal endoscopy is a novel minimally invasive spinal surgery technique used in recent years to treat various degenerative spinal diseases. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a new method for identifying infectious microorganisms in infectious diseases. We aim to evaluate the application effect of combining spinal endoscopy with mNGS in diagnosing and treating spinal infections.

methodsThe clinical data of 62 patients with suspected spinal infectious diseases admitted from January 2020 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent spinal endoscopy to obtain tissue specimens, histopathological examination, routine bacterial culture, and mNGS sequencing. Describe the pathogenic microbial spectrum of spinal infection, and compare the differences in sensitivity (true positive rate) and specificity (true negative rate) between the two detection methods. White blood cell (WBC) erythrocyte deposition rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), visual analog scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and other clinical results were analyzed.

resultsIn 62 cases, mNGS, microbiological culture, serologic testing, and pathologic examination results were obtained. 49 cases of spinal infections and 13 cases of non-spinal infections were finally diagnosed clinically. Among the 49 patients with spinal infections, there were 31 cases of purulent bacterial infections, 8 cases of tuberculosis infections, and 10 cases of infections with unspecified etiological microorganisms. Among the 13 cases of non-spinal infections, there were 3 cases of spinal tumors, 6 cases of Modic changes of the endplates, and 4 cases of endplate fracture. The positive rate of microbial culture was 36.73% (18/49), and the positive rate of the mNGS test was 71.43% (35/49), which was statistically different from each other (P < 0.01). The sensitivity of the mNGS test was 71.43%, and the specificity of the mNGS test was 84.62%. At the 3-month follow-up, WBC, ESR, and CRP levels were normalized. The VAS, JOA score, and ODI of the lower back and legs at each follow-up point after surgery were significantly improved compared with those before surgery, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01).

conclusionMetagenomic sequencing technology is fast, efficient, and accurate in detecting pathogenic microorganisms, and has high diagnostic value in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal infections. Spinal endoscopic debridement combined with mNGS can achieve good clinical results.