Serious pyogenic spondylitis following vertebroplasty--a case report

• Published in: Spine (Philadelphia, Pa. 1976) Pa. 1976), 2004-05, Vol.29 (10), p.E209-E211
• Main Authors: Yu, Shang-Won, Chen, Wen-Jer, Lin, Wei-Ching, Chen, Yeung-Jen, Tu, Yuan-Kun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abscess - etiology; Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Back Pain - etiology; Bone Cements; Bone Transplantation; Debridement; Female; Fracture Fixation, Internal; Fractures, Closed - etiology; Fractures, Closed - surgery; Fractures, Spontaneous - etiology; Fractures, Spontaneous - surgery; Humans; Internal Fixators; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal - complications; Polymethyl Methacrylate; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Postoperative Complications - microbiology; Premedication; Spinal Fractures - etiology; Spinal Fractures - surgery; Spinal Fusion; Spondylitis - etiology; Suppuration; Surgical Wound Infection - etiology; Thoracic Vertebrae - surgery; Urinary Tract Infections - complications
• ISSN: 0362-2436; 1528-1159
• DOI: 10.1097/00007632-200405150-00023

The aim of this case report is to examine the problem of serious pyogenic spondylitis that may follow vertebroplasty. To report 1 case of serious pyogenic spondylitis caused by percutaneous vertebroplasty with polymethyl methacrylate. Serious pyogenic spondylitis caused by percutaneous vertebroplasty with polymethyl methacrylate is a rare complication. We herein report a case of pyogenic spondylitis that occurred after the patient had undergone vertebroplasty. A 78-year-old woman with a T12 osteoporotic compression fracture, and without a magnetic resonance imaging sign of infection, underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty using polymethyl methacrylate without complication. RESULTS.: About 1 month after the operation, the patient was readmitted because of severe backache, and the diagnosis of pyogenic spondylitis was made using radiograph and magnetic resonance imaging. Anterior inter-body fusion with a strut bone graft after debridement and posterior instrumentation were then performed. Vertebroplasty should proceed under sterile conditions. Excluding the possibility of spinal infection before surgery and a detailed evaluation assuring that the patient is without systemic infectious disease before the vertebroplasty procedure is crucial.