Vertebral augmentation-related Clostridium septicum osteomyelitis

We present a case of vertebral osteomyelitis following multiple vertebral augmentations in a patient with an insidious presentation. Vertebral augmentation (kyphoplasty and/or vertebroplasty) is a minimally invasive procedure that has become a fairly common and highly effective method in treating co...

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Main Authors: Nicholas Pavlatos, BS, Matthew Kurian, MD, Omar Khan, MD, Allen Guehl, DPM, Feras Deek, MS, Azim Shaikh, MD, MBA, Mubin I. Syed, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2022-10-01
Series:Radiology Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043322005143
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author Nicholas Pavlatos, BS
Matthew Kurian, MD
Omar Khan, MD
Allen Guehl, DPM
Feras Deek, MS
Azim Shaikh, MD, MBA
Mubin I. Syed, MD
author_facet Nicholas Pavlatos, BS
Matthew Kurian, MD
Omar Khan, MD
Allen Guehl, DPM
Feras Deek, MS
Azim Shaikh, MD, MBA
Mubin I. Syed, MD
author_sort Nicholas Pavlatos, BS
collection DOAJ
description We present a case of vertebral osteomyelitis following multiple vertebral augmentations in a patient with an insidious presentation. Vertebral augmentation (kyphoplasty and/or vertebroplasty) is a minimally invasive procedure that has become a fairly common and highly effective method in treating compression fractures. A large majority of patients that undergo this procedure suffer from osteoporosis. Numerous studies have shown that patients who undergo the procedure obtain substantial pain relief and improve functional status, often times to a greater extent than other surgical and nonsurgical management. Although its prevalence is low, infection after vertebral augmentation can be a serious consequence of the procedure. Blood cultures in this case were positive for Clostridium septicum. C septicum is a gram-positive, spore forming bacteria that is part of the normal gut flora in humans and is commonly associated with GI malignancy, necrosis, and inflammation. The patient did not respond to long-term intravenous antibiotics and required vertebral corpectomy and debridement with instrumentation. Vertebral body cultures obtained intraoperatively were positive for C septicum. It was noted historically that the patient had a hemorrhoidectomy 4 weeks prior to her initial fracture presentation. Although the risk of infection after vertebral augmentation is low, it is imperative that careful pre- and postoperative evaluation as well as follow-up is completed in order to prevent catastrophic consequences for patients. In patients with recent gastrointestinal tract manipulation/surgery, appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis should be considered prior to vertebral augmentation procedures.
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spelling doaj.art-46f9a61a534b4908a2d8bb172ca908902022-12-22T01:26:52ZengElsevierRadiology Case Reports1930-04332022-10-01171037793784Vertebral augmentation-related Clostridium septicum osteomyelitisNicholas Pavlatos, BS0Matthew Kurian, MD1Omar Khan, MD2Allen Guehl, DPM3Feras Deek, MS4Azim Shaikh, MD, MBA5Mubin I. Syed, MD6Northeastern Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USANortheastern Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USAWright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, OH, USADepartment of Surgery, Springfield Regional Medical Center, Springfield, OH, USADayton Interventional Radiology, 3075 Governors Place Blvd., Ste. 120, Dayton, OH 45409, USADayton Interventional Radiology, 3075 Governors Place Blvd., Ste. 120, Dayton, OH 45409, USADayton Interventional Radiology, 3075 Governors Place Blvd., Ste. 120, Dayton, OH 45409, USA; Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, OH, USA; Corresponding author.We present a case of vertebral osteomyelitis following multiple vertebral augmentations in a patient with an insidious presentation. Vertebral augmentation (kyphoplasty and/or vertebroplasty) is a minimally invasive procedure that has become a fairly common and highly effective method in treating compression fractures. A large majority of patients that undergo this procedure suffer from osteoporosis. Numerous studies have shown that patients who undergo the procedure obtain substantial pain relief and improve functional status, often times to a greater extent than other surgical and nonsurgical management. Although its prevalence is low, infection after vertebral augmentation can be a serious consequence of the procedure. Blood cultures in this case were positive for Clostridium septicum. C septicum is a gram-positive, spore forming bacteria that is part of the normal gut flora in humans and is commonly associated with GI malignancy, necrosis, and inflammation. The patient did not respond to long-term intravenous antibiotics and required vertebral corpectomy and debridement with instrumentation. Vertebral body cultures obtained intraoperatively were positive for C septicum. It was noted historically that the patient had a hemorrhoidectomy 4 weeks prior to her initial fracture presentation. Although the risk of infection after vertebral augmentation is low, it is imperative that careful pre- and postoperative evaluation as well as follow-up is completed in order to prevent catastrophic consequences for patients. In patients with recent gastrointestinal tract manipulation/surgery, appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis should be considered prior to vertebral augmentation procedures.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043322005143Case reportClostridium septicumVertebroplastyVertebral augmentationOsteomyelitis
spellingShingle Nicholas Pavlatos, BS
Matthew Kurian, MD
Omar Khan, MD
Allen Guehl, DPM
Feras Deek, MS
Azim Shaikh, MD, MBA
Mubin I. Syed, MD
Vertebral augmentation-related Clostridium septicum osteomyelitis
Radiology Case Reports
Case report
Clostridium septicum
Vertebroplasty
Vertebral augmentation
Osteomyelitis
title Vertebral augmentation-related Clostridium septicum osteomyelitis
title_full Vertebral augmentation-related Clostridium septicum osteomyelitis
title_fullStr Vertebral augmentation-related Clostridium septicum osteomyelitis
title_full_unstemmed Vertebral augmentation-related Clostridium septicum osteomyelitis
title_short Vertebral augmentation-related Clostridium septicum osteomyelitis
title_sort vertebral augmentation related clostridium septicum osteomyelitis
topic Case report
Clostridium septicum
Vertebroplasty
Vertebral augmentation
Osteomyelitis
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043322005143
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