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Extensive thoracolumbosacral vertebral osteomyelitis after Lemierre syndrome
Purpose To present a unique case of multilevel vertebral osteomyelitis after Lemierre syndrome. Methods A previously healthy 27-year-old man presented in the Emergency Department in septic shock because of Lemierre syndrome for which he was subsequently treated with intravenous benzylpenicillin for...
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Published in: | European spine journal 2015-05, Vol.24 (Suppl 4), p.502-507 |
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Main Authors: | , , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Purpose
To present a unique case of multilevel vertebral osteomyelitis after Lemierre syndrome.
Methods
A previously healthy 27-year-old man presented in the Emergency Department in septic shock because of Lemierre syndrome for which he was subsequently treated with intravenous benzylpenicillin for 2 months. Two and a half months later, the patient was readmitted with severe back pain without neurological deficits or fever. Imaging revealed an extensive vertebral osteomyelitis of the complete thoracic, lumbar and sacral spine.
Results
Although the blood cultures obtained at the initial admission for Lemierre syndrome revealed
Fusobacterium
species and
Streptococcus milleri
, the cultures from the spinal biopsies remained negative. Histology of the spinal biopsies showed a purulent sclerosing osteomyelitis. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous piperacillin and tazobactam. Despite persisting back pain, no recurrence of infection was seen at 3 years of follow-up.
Conclusion
Lemierre syndrome and an extensive thoracolumbosacral vertebral osteomyelitis are rare but serious infections. Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for infectious metastases leading to vertebral osteomyelitis when a patient presents with back pain after an episode of life-threatening septicaemia caused by Lemierre syndrome. |
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ISSN: | 0940-6719 1432-0932 |
DOI: | 10.1007/s00586-014-3576-4 |