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Spondylitis following vertebroplasty: a case report
Katharina E Schmid1, Bronek M Boszczyk, Michael Bierschneider
1Department of Neurosurgery, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik Murnau, Germany. katharina.schmid@bgu-murnau.de
Summary
Spondylitis is a rare complication following vertebroplasty. This case demonstrates successful conservative management of spondylitis using antibiotics and restricted movement, leading to symptom resolution.
Area of Science:
- Spinal surgery
- Infectious diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- Vertebroplasty is a procedure to treat vertebral fractures.
- Spondylitis, an inflammation of the vertebrae, is a rare complication of vertebroplasty.
Observation:
- A 55-year-old patient with osteoporosis developed spondylitis at L3-L5 after vertebroplasty.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed spondylitis with a paravertebral abscess and L5 collapse.
Findings:
- The patient was treated with percutaneous abscess aspiration and a 3-month course of antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and clindamycin).
- No bacteria were identified despite pre-treatment cultures.
- One year post-treatment, MRI showed resolution of spondylitis and L5 collapse, with significant pain improvement.
Implications:
- Conservative management, including antibiotics and restricted movement, can be effective for post-vertebroplasty spondylitis.
- This case adds to the limited literature on spondylitis following vertebroplasty.
- Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes in this rare complication.