Journal List > J Korean Soc Spine Surg > v.21(2) > 1076050

Park, Kim, Kang, and Jeong: Spinal Epidural Abscess and Psoas Abscess Combined with Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis Following Vertebroplasty - A Case Report -

Abstract

Study Design

Case report.

Objective

To report a case of extensive spinal epidural abscess and bilateral psoas abscesses combined with pyogenic spondylodiscitis after a L3 vertebroplasty.

Summary of Literature Review

Infection after vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty is a rare medical complication. Few reports on spinal epidural abscess and bilateral psoas abscesses, coupled with pyogenic spondylodiscitis after vertebroplasty, are available in the English medical literature.

Materials and Methods

The authors performed a clinical and radiographic case review.

Results

A 74-year-old woman, without any existing medical illness, presented with a history of three weeks of lower back pain, fever, and neurologic deficits of both legs after vertebroplasty performed in another hospital. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an extensive spinal epidural abscess from T10 to S1 and huge bilateral psoas abscesses combined with spondylodiscitis at L3-4. Urgent limited laminectomies and abscess drainage were performed from L1 to S1. The day after the operation, ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage was performed to manage bilateral psoas abscesses. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was identified by intraoperative culture. Antibiotic therapy during hospitalization was maintained for six weeks with vancomycin and rifampicin. The infection was successfully treated without any neurologic deficit and spinal deformity.

Conclusions

Vertebroplasty is relative safe and simple procedure; however, the procedure also may cause severe spinal infection. Aseptic techniques under sterile environment was required during surgery. It is important that early diagnosis and prompt surgical decompression in spinal epidural abscess with neurologic deficit. Limited surgery and antibiotic therapy could be a good treatment option in spinal epidural abscess combined with pyogenic spondylodiscitis.

REFERENCES

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Fig. 1.
MRI before vertebroplasty demonstrated compression fracture of L3 body with epidural hematoma and old compression fracture of T11 body. There was no evidence of infection.
jkss-21-90f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Initial anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the lumbar spine demonstrate L3 vertebroplasty without definite bony lesion.
jkss-21-90f2.tif
Fig. 3.
T2 weighted sagittal MR image demonstrates high signal intensity of L3-4 body and epidural space and subcutaneous space (A). Enhanced T1 weighted MR images demonstrate low signal intensity with ring-like peripheral rim enhancement of epidural lesion, suggestive of spinal epidural abscess from T10 to S1 (B). An axial image of L2 level demonstrates compression of spinal cord by a huge spinal epidural abscess (C). An axial image of L3 body level (D). B
jkss-21-90f3.tif
Fig. 4.
The enhanced T1 weighted coronal MR image demonstrates huge bilateral psoas abscesses with peripheral rim enhancement (A). Also, spinal epidural abscess and pyogenic spondylodiscitis L3-4 was observed. Axial images of L4 level (B) and L5 level (C).
jkss-21-90f4.tif
Fig. 5.
Two years after surgery, anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of lumbar spine demonstrate spontaneous fusion between L3 body and L4 body with mild collapse of L3 body.
jkss-21-90f5.tif
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