Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion for blastomycosis causing destruction of C6 vertebra: a case report. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Patel, Kushal; Szczodry, Michal; Neckrysh, Sergey; Siemionow, Krzysztof
• Is Part Of: Journal of medical case reports. Volume 9:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 5
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Blastomycosis -- Cervical spine -- Corpectomy -- Fungal infection -- Osteomyelitis; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1186/s13256-015-0762-x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1752-1947

Abstract

Abstract Introduction We describe a patient who had cervical spine osteomyelitis caused byBlastomyces dermatitidis that resulted in cord compression and cervical spine instability. Case presentation 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 confirmingBlastomyces dermatitidis. Conclusions Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion successful debrided, decompressed, and restored cervical spine stability in a patient with vertebral osteomyelitis caused byBlastomyces dermatitidis. The patient was subsequently treated with a 1-year course of itraconazole and had no recurrence of infection 4 years postoperatively.