Bacteremia coexisting with tophaceous gout of the spine mimicking spondylodiscitis: a case report.
METHODS
A case report and review of the literature.


OBJECTIVE
To report a rare case of bacteremia coexisting with spinal gout initially suspected as pyogenic spondylodiscitis.


BACKGROUND
Gouty spine is a rare disease. It is even rare when coexisting with bacteremia. The presentation as pain, fever, and positive blood culture will make it more difficult to distinguish from spinal infection.


METHODS
A 64-year-old woman with type II diabetes mellitus and chronic renal insufficiency was admitted to the emergency department with a fever of 39 degrees C, chills, and back pain. Laboratory studies revealed an elevated white count and neutrophils; her serum glucose level was 279 mg/dL. The C-reactive protein level was 25.55 mg/dL and serum uric acid was in the upper range of normal. Blood cultures revealed Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterococcus faecalis. Urine culture revealed 3 separate gram-negative bacilli. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed contrast enhancement in the L4-L5 and T5-T9 vertebral bodies. Infective spondylodiscitis of the lumbar and thoracic spine was suspected.


RESULTS
Because antibiotic treatment had failed, surgical debridement with diskectomy, partial corpectomy, and allogenous strut graft reconstruction (T8-T9) was performed. During the operation, 600 cc of pleural effusion was drained. Chalky white material was noted at the T8-T9 disc and the adjacent vertebral bodies. Cultures for bacteria, tuberculosis, and fungus were all negative. Histologic examination revealed deposition of eosinophilic crystal-like material, and a diagnosis of tophaceous gout of the spine was established.


CONCLUSIONS
This is, to our knowledge, the first case of bacteremia coexisting with multiple areas of tophaceous gout of the spine. Although uncommon, gouty spine should be added into the differential diagnosis of patients with back pain and bacteremia.
Tsai
Chun-Hao
CH
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Chen
Yen-Jen
YJ
Hsu
Horng-Chaung
HC
Chen
Hsien-Te
HT
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology*; D003646:Debridement; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015299:Discitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D017586:Diskectomy; D005260:Female; D006073:Gout / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017211:Treatment Failure
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents