Rare case of post-vertebroplasty fungal spondylodiscitis: Case report

Abstract

Vertebroplasty is a commonly done procedure in osteoporotic compression fracture. Cement leakage is the most common complication associated with vertebroplasty. Infection following vertebroplasty is rare. Fungal spondylodiscitis following vertebroplasty has not been reported in the literature. The objective of this clinical case report was to highlight this rare fungal spondylodiscitis following vertebroplasty. A 67-year-old woman was diagnosed with osteoporotic compression fracture for which vertebroplasty was done. During the procedure, the primary surgeon noticed the cement leakage without any neurological complication. The patient was referred to us. The patient was diagnosed with spondylodiscitis with cement leakage. We performed an open biopsy with cement removal with posterior thoracic decompression and interbody fusion. On microbiological examination, Aspergillus fumigatus were isolated from multiple samples that were susceptible to voriconazole. On 1-month follow-up, patient’s pain significantly reduced with normalized inflammatory markers. Presence of immunocompromised status with diabetes mellitus and lack of quality operating theater with inadequate maintenance of sterility protocols during the procedure could be the reason for the infection.

Keywords

• aspergillus fumigatus
• cement leakage
• complications
• spondylodiscitis
• vertebroplasty