title: Vertebral osteomyelitis in an immunosuppressed patient with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: We report a case of spontaneous osteomyelitis of the cervical spine complicated by epidural abscess due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis with no obvious focus of infection or bacteraemia. The patient was on immunosuppressants and complete blood count revealed neutropaenia. He was successfully treated with intravenous antibiotics and surgery.
authors.affiliation: Appalachian Regional Healthcare Hospital Inc, Hyden, Kentucky, USA.
authors.forename: Upama
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Giri
authors.affiliation: Appalachian Regional Healthcare Hospital Inc, Hyden, Kentucky, USA.
authors.forename: Berry Cheriyan
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Thavalathil
authors.affiliation: Appalachian Regional Healthcare Hospital Inc, Hyden, Kentucky, USA.
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Varghese
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000379:methods; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents