title: Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion for blastomycosis causing destruction of C6 vertebra: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We describe a patient who had cervical spine osteomyelitis caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis that resulted in cord compression and cervical spine instability.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 25-year-old Hispanic woman presented with fever, sweats, neck pain, and an enlarging neck mass with purulent discharge after sustaining a C6 vertebral body fracture. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed C6 vertebral osteomyelitis, demonstrated by vertebral body destruction, cervical spine instability, prevertebral abscess, and spinal cord compression. She underwent C6 anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion, with fungal cultures confirming Blastomyces dermatitidis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion successful debrided, decompressed, and restored cervical spine stability in a patient with vertebral osteomyelitis caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis. The patient was subsequently treated with a 1-year course of itraconazole and had no recurrence of infection 4 years postoperatively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, 835 S Wolcott Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA. kushal.raj.patel@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kushal R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, 835 S Wolcott Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA. szczodrym@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szczodry
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, 835 S Wolcott Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA. neckrysh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sergey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Neckrysh
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, 835 S Wolcott Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA. siemiok@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Siemionow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001759:Blastomycosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D017964:Itraconazole