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Fulminating septicemia secondary to oxygen-ozone therapy for lumbar disc herniation: case report
Roberto Gazzeri1, Marcelo Galarza, Massimiliano Neroni
1Department of Neurosurgery, Ospedale San Giovanni Addolorata, Rome, Italy.
Study Design:
A case report and clinical discussion.
Objective:
To describe a rare but fatal complication secondary to oxygen-ozone therapy for the treatment of herniated lumbar disc.
Summary Of Background Data:
Previously reported complications secondary to oxygen-ozone therapy are rarely reported. Septic discitis and epidural abscesses have been reported after myelography, lumbar puncture, paravertebral injections, epidural anesthesia, acupuncture, and intradiscal therapy with chymopapain. We report the first case of a local infection with systemic fatal dissemination secondary to this treatment.
Methods:
A 57-year-old man previously treated with oxygen-ozone therapy presented low back and bilateral pain. The lumbar computed tomography revealed the presence of L4-L5 and L5-S1 herniated discs.
Results:
Three days after admission in the hospital, the patient developed a fulminant septicemia. An abdominal-pelvic and chest computed tomography and blood culture led to the diagnosis of pyogenic lumbar muscle involvement, accompanied with septic pulmonary embolism secondary to Escherichia coli infection.
Conclusions:
This case report identifies a rare and fatal complication of oxygen-ozone therapy in the treatment of a herniated lumbar disc. Acute fatal septicemia should be considered among the major complications of the oxygen-ozone therapy in the treatment of a herniated lumbar disc.
Insights
Oxygen-ozone therapy for herniated lumbar discs can lead to fatal septicemia. This rare complication, involving Escherichia coli infection and septic pulmonary embolism, highlights the risks of this treatment.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Clinical case study
- Infectious disease
Background:
- Oxygen-ozone therapy is used for herniated lumbar discs.
- Complications are rarely reported, but include infections like discitis and abscesses.
- This report details a unique case of fatal systemic infection.
Observation:
- A 57-year-old man received oxygen-ozone therapy for herniated lumbar discs.
- He developed severe low back and bilateral pain.
- CT scans confirmed L4-L5 and L5-S1 herniated discs.
Findings:
- The patient rapidly developed fulminant septicemia.
- Diagnosis included pyogenic lumbar muscle involvement and septic pulmonary embolism.
- Escherichia coli was identified as the causative agent.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare but fatal complication of oxygen-ozone therapy.
- Acute fatal septicemia must be considered a risk.
- Clinicians should be aware of potential severe infections following this treatment.
