Comparative Study between Titanium Mesh and Autogenous Iliac Bone Graft through Anterior Approach for Treatment of Lumbar Spondylodiscitis

Background: Spondylodiscitis is an inflammation of the vertebral disk space often related to infection. Different treatment modalities were present. However, no full consensus is found about the ideal treatment. Aim of the work: To compare between titanium mesh and autogenous iliac bone graft through anterior approach for treatment of lumbar spondylodiscitis. Patients and Methods: A total of 30 patients with spondylodiscitis were included in the study. They were assigned for surgical intervention. They were allocated into titanium mesh or autogenous iliac bone graft through anterior approach. All underwent full history taking and clinical examination, radiological evaluation and surgical outcome was documented. Results: There was no significant difference between the two studied groups as regard the bony fusion after follow up period and there is no significant difference between the two studied techniques as regard outcome. Favorable outcome was not related to patient gender. But, the favorable outcome was associated with younger age [all patients younger than 40 years had favorable outcome, while 73.7% of those older than 49 years had been improved. Conclusion: Titanium mesh cages were found to be similar to autogenous iliac bone graft for restoring vertebral height when treating single-segment lumbar spondylodiscitis and obtained same clinical efficacy as autogenous iliac bone.