Isolated C-2 osteomyelitis of hematogenous origin: case report and literature review

A case of hematogenous Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis isolated to the 2nd cervical vertebra is presented. To our knowledge, this is the second case to be reported of hematogenous infection involving only the body and odontoid process of the axis. The first report was published prior to the advent of computed tomography, bone scans, and halo orthosis. The pathophysiology of blood-borne atlantoaxial infection is described, as well as methods of diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic recommendations. The use of computed tomography to define the extent of the lesion is illustrated.