Serious pyogenic spondylitis following vertebroplasty--a case report.
METHODS
The aim of this case report is to examine the problem of serious pyogenic spondylitis that may follow vertebroplasty.


OBJECTIVE
To report 1 case of serious pyogenic spondylitis caused by percutaneous vertebroplasty with polymethyl methacrylate.


BACKGROUND
Serious pyogenic spondylitis caused by percutaneous vertebroplasty with polymethyl methacrylate is a rare complication. We herein report a case of pyogenic spondylitis that occurred after the patient had undergone vertebroplasty.


METHODS
A 78-year-old woman with a T12 osteoporotic compression fracture, and without a magnetic resonance imaging sign of infection, underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty using polymethyl methacrylate without complication. RESULTS.: About 1 month after the operation, the patient was readmitted because of severe backache, and the diagnosis of pyogenic spondylitis was made using radiograph and magnetic resonance imaging. Anterior inter-body fusion with a strut bone graft after debridement and posterior instrumentation were then performed.


CONCLUSIONS
Vertebroplasty should proceed under sterile conditions. Excluding the possibility of spinal infection before surgery and a detailed evaluation assuring that the patient is without systemic infectious disease before the vertebroplasty procedure is crucial.
Yu
Shang-Won
SW
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan, Republic of China. ysw6455@ms11.hinet.net
Chen
Wen-Jer
WJ
Lin
Wei-Ching
WC
Chen
Yeung-Jen
YJ
Tu
Yuan-Kun
YK
D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology*; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D001843:Bone Cements; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000150:complications; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D011292:Premedication; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000209:etiology*; D013492:Suppuration; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000150:complications
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001843:Bone Cements; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate