Alveolar echinococcosis as a cause of vertebral osteomyelitis and soft tissue infection with recurrent cutaneous fistula formation

Abstract

Echinococcus multilocularis is endemic in Germany. However, alveolar echinococcosis is a rare disease. Most commonly the parasite affects the liver, behaving like a malignant tumour. Bones are affected in less than 2% of cases. We report a case of vertebral osteomyelitis accompanied by recurrent cutaneous fistula formation.

Keywords

• Alveolar echinococcosis
• Osteomyelitis
• Spondylitis
• Bone infection
• Sinus tract
• Fistula