title: Neonatal infectious spondylitis of the cervical spine presenting with quadriplegia: a case report.
abstract: METHODS
  A case report.-
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To highlight the evaluation and treatment of neonatal infectious spondylitis of the cervical spine.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Most authors advise intravenous antibiotics as first-choice treatment. The place of aspiration or operative drainage is debated, as is the position and duration of immobilization.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 3-week-old neonate was presented with intermittent quadriplegia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Additional investigation demonstrated an osteolytic process in the body of C3 with a large epidural abscess compressing the spinal cord. Because an infectious spondylitis of C3 was suspected, aspiration of the abscess was performed, and antibiotic therapy was started. The patient improved to neurologically normal within 3 weeks and remains asymptomatic throughout a follow-up period of 7 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neonatal infectious spondylitis should be diagnosed early and treated promptly; otherwise, it may have devastating consequences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: I V
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: van Dalen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heeg
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D004824:Epidural Space; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*