Torulopsis glabrata vertebral osteomyelitis.
A case of Torulopsis glabrata osteomyelitis of the thoracic spine producing spinal cord compression and myelopathy is reported. The patient displayed several of the predisposing factors to T. glabrata infection, including diabetes mellitus, a history of abdominal surgery, and intravenous catheterization with hyperalimentation. The patient was successfully managed with surgical decompression, debridement, and curettage of the affected bone, postoperative immobilization, and systemic amphotericin B therapy. Her pain was relieved, spinal cord function recovered, and the vertebrae healed uneventfully. T. glabrata osteomyelitis is a rare and unpredictably progressive infection. This case demonstrates that it requires prompt therapy and close observation.
Owen
P G
PG
Department of Neurosurgery, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque 87131-5341.
Willis
B K
BK
Benzel
E C
EC
D000368:Aged; D002175:Candida; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D015984:Causality; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy