Journal List > J Korean Soc Spine Surg > v.23(2) > 1076090

Choi, Kim, and Chong: Late Pyogenic Spondylitis after Vertebroplasty with PMMA-filled Adjacent Segments - A Case Report -

Abstract

Objectives

To report a rare case of late pyogenic spondylitis around the cement mass in T12 that developed 4 years after vertebroplasty with L1-3 bodies already filled with cement due to previous vertebroplasty.

Summary of Literature Review

Pyogenic spondylitis after vertebroplasty is a rare complication, but very difficult to manage.

Materials and Methods

A 56-year old female visited us with pyogenic spondylitis around the T12 body. The bodies of L1-L3 had been filled with cement eight years previously, followed by another vertebroplasty for T12 four years previously in a local clinic. At first, conservative management with intravenous antibiotics was attempted for 8 weeks, without clinical improvement. Therefore, anterior surgery for T12 corpectomy, removal of the cement, and fusion was performed.

Result

The infection was cured and anterior fusion was achieved, and the patient was able to return to her previous activities.

Conclusions

Though previous vertebroplasty of the adjacent vertebral body seemed to be a major obstacle to achieving fusion, anterior surgical treatment was the ultimate solution to this complex problem.

REFERENCES

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Fig. 1.
A gross photograph of the patient shows a kyphotic back and ery-thematous swelling on the left flank.
jkss-23-108f1.tif
Fig. 2.
A simple X-ray shows cement-filled vertebral bodies from T12 to L3 (A) and acute kyphosis (B) at thoracolumbar junction due to collapse of the T12 body.
jkss-23-108f2.tif
Fig. 3.
CT images reveal that most of the bone was dissolved and only the cement mass in the T12 body was remaining (A). The PMMA mass in the L1 body seemed to invade the upper end plate (B).
jkss-23-108f3.tif
Fig. 4.
MRI images show a few cement masses floating in the T12 body surrounded by fluid collection (A-C).
jkss-23-108f4.tif
Fig. 5.
Via an anterior approach, the T12 body was explored so that all the cement material was removed. A strut graft taken from the iliac crest and pieces of a rib that had been resected for the anterior approach were inserted into the empty T12 body space.
jkss-23-108f5.tif
Fig. 6.
CT images at postoperative 6 months show ongoing fusion around the graft bones in both the coronal (A) and sagittal (B) plane.
jkss-23-108f6.tif
Fig. 7.
Anteroposterior (A) and lateral (B) X-ray images reveal perfect fusion from T11 to L1 across the graft bones.
jkss-23-108f7.tif
Table 1.
Reported cases of late infection after vertebroplasty
  Age/Sex Level Vertebroplasty to infection Underlying disease Treatment Cultured microorganism Antibiotics Duration
Lee6) 74/F L2-3 3 Years DM Corpectomy AIF (iliac bone) Us Us Us
Shin7) 64/F L1-3 15 months Renal cell carcinoma AIF (mesh), PI E. faecalis Us 6 weeks
Shin7) 78/F L2-3 25 months DM, HTN AIF (iliac bone), PI Staphylococcus aureus Us 6 weeks
Vats10) 73/F L1 6 months DM Conservative antibiotics Streptococcus agalactiae Ceftriaxone 6 weeks
Walker11) 49/F L3 8 months Diskitis AIF, PI Staphylococcus aureus Us Us
The Autho rs 56/F T12 4 years None Cement removal, AIF (iliac bone) Staphylococcus aureus Teicoplanin 6 weeks

AIF=anterior interbody fusion, PI=posterior instrumentation, DM=Diabetes mellitus, UTI=Urinary tract infection, RA = Rheumatoid arthritis, Us=unstated. E. faecalis=Enterococcus faecalis, HTN=hypertension.

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