Conservative therapy of atlantoaxial osteomyelitis. A case report.
METHODS
A rare case of C1-C2 vertebral osteomyelitis treated conservatively is described. The radiologic findings as well as the follow-up evaluation are reported.


OBJECTIVE
To increase knowledge about the pathogenesis and treatment of vertebral osteomyelitis in the high cervical region.


BACKGROUND
This is one of the first cases reported of successful conservative treatment of osteomyelitis at this level.


METHODS
In a 58-year-old man with lumbar staphylococcal infection, a subsequent cervical infection developed. Because the lumbar spondylitis was treated promptly, the cervical osteomyelitis was treated at a very early stage of development.


RESULTS
Operative decompression is the treatment most often used in osteomyelitis at the C1-C2 level. This is an extremely unusual circumstance in which early treatment of the infection negated the need for surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Conservative treatment of osteomyelitis at the C1-C2 level can be efficacious in the correct setting.
Lam
C H
CH
Department of Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Quebec, Canada.
Ethier
R
R
Pokrupa
R
R
D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology; D003023:Cloxacillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D010406:Penicillins; D003023:Cloxacillin