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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
06:23
Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Human Brucellar Spondylodiscitis
Published on: May 23, 2021
Cervical spondylodiscitis caused by Blastoschizomyces capitatus
1Dept. of Neuroradiology, Purpan University Hospital, Toulouse, France.
Infection
|January 31, 2008
Summary
A rare yeast infection caused severe neck pain in an acute myeloid leukemia patient. Treatment resolved the infection but delayed a crucial bone marrow transplant.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients undergoing treatment are immunocompromised, increasing susceptibility to opportunistic infections.
- Spondylodiscitis, an infection of the spine and intervertebral discs, can present with severe neurological symptoms.
Observation:
- A 37-year-old female AML patient in remission experienced severe neck pain and cervico-brachial neuralgia.
- Imaging revealed C5-C6 spondylodiscitis; a CT-guided biopsy confirmed Blastoschizomyces capitatus, a rare yeast.
- The biopsy provided immediate symptom relief by decompressing the affected area.
Findings:
- This case represents one of the few documented instances of Blastoschizomyces capitatus causing spondylodiscitis.
- A six-month treatment regimen of voriconazole and liposomal amphotericin B led to complete radiological resolution.
- Despite treatment success, the persistent yeast infection precluded the planned allogeneic bone marrow transplant.
Implications:
- Highlights the potential for rare fungal pathogens like Blastoschizomyces capitatus to cause severe spinal infections in immunocompromised individuals.
- Emphasizes the importance of prompt diagnosis and aggressive antifungal therapy for spondylodiscitis in leukemia patients.
- Underscores the complex interplay between infection management and definitive cancer treatment, such as bone marrow transplantation.
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