Vertebral osteomyelitis after blunt traumatic esophageal rupture.
METHODS
This is a report of a case.


OBJECTIVE
To document the occurrence and characteristics of vertebral osteomyelitis after blunt traumatic esophageal perforation.


BACKGROUND
Vertebral osteomyelitis in association with esophageal rupture has been reported after penetrating, but not blunt traumatic injuries.


METHODS
All of the listed authors were involved in the care of this patient. All medical records, laboratory and radiologic investigations, and related literature were reviewed.


RESULTS
The mixture of oral aerobic and anaerobic organisms inoculated into vertebral bone after blunt traumatic esophageal perforation caused a rapidly destructive vertebral osteomyelitis reminiscent of bite-wound injuries of the hand.


CONCLUSIONS
Awareness of the occurrence of blunt traumatic esophageal perforation and the associated risk of vertebral osteomyelitis may lead to earlier detection and treatment of these infections.
Ring
D
D
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California at San Diego School of Medicine.
Vaccaro
A R
AR
Scuderi
G
G
Green
D
D
D004947:Esophagus / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012421:Rupture; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*