[Cervical spondylodiscitis: a rare complication of phonatory implants]

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Otolaryngology
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Cervical spondylodiscitis, an infection of the cervical spine's intervertebral discs and vertebrae, is more common in children.
• Adult cases often arise post-operatively, particularly after procedures involving the airway or esophagus, such as difficult intubation or foreign body removal.
• Tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) is a surgical procedure to create a communication between the trachea and esophagus, often for voice restoration.

Observation:

• This report details the first known instance of cervical spondylodiscitis following secondary tracheoesophageal puncture for phonatory prosthesis implantation.
• The patient presented with non-specific signs, complicating early diagnosis and timely intervention.
• The potential for bacterial contamination during the TEP procedure was identified as a likely contributing factor.

Findings:

• The study identifies a novel complication of TEP surgery: cervical spondylodiscitis.
• Non-specific clinical presentation can delay diagnosis of this serious spinal infection.
• Bacterial contamination during TEP is a significant risk factor for developing cervical spondylodiscitis.

Implications:

• This finding necessitates heightened awareness among clinicians performing TEP procedures.
• Enhanced sterile techniques and vigilant post-operative monitoring are crucial to prevent this complication.
• Further research into preventative strategies and diagnostic markers for TEP-associated cervical spondylodiscitis is warranted.