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Pneumococcal Vertebral Osteomyelitis after Epidural Injection: A Rare Event

Tamara M Johnson1, Chandrika Chitturi2, Michael Lange3

  • 1Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Michael's Medical Center, Newark, NJ, USA.

Journal of Global Infectious Diseases
|September 14, 2016
PubMed

Insights

This study reports a rare case of vertebral osteomyelitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae following an epidural injection. This highlights a potential risk of spinal infections after such procedures.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurosurgery
  • Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

  • Vertebral osteomyelitis is a serious spinal infection.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia and bacteremia.
  • Spinal infections following epidural procedures are uncommon.

Observation:

  • A patient developed Streptococcus pneumoniae vertebral osteomyelitis.
  • The infection presented with paraspinal and epidural abscesses.
  • The onset followed an epidural injection procedure.

Findings:

  • This is the second reported case of pneumococcal vertebral osteomyelitis linked to epidural manipulation.
  • The case demonstrates a rare but serious complication of epidural injections.
  • Concomitant bacteremia was identified in the patient.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of sterile techniques during epidural injections.
  • Suggests considering Streptococcus pneumoniae in the differential diagnosis of vertebral infections post-procedure.
  • Underscores the need for vigilance in diagnosing and managing rare spinal infections.
Keywords:
Epidural injectionStreptococcus pneumoniaepneumococcal vertebral osteomyelitis

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