Korean J Spine.  2008 Sep;5(3):237-240.

Spontaneous Cervical Spondylodiscitis and Epidural Abscess Caused by Klebsiella Pneumonia-single Stage Operation with Decompressive Corpectomy and Autologous Bone Fusion

• Kim MS
• Cho DC
• Sung JK

Abstract

We present a very rare case of spontaneous cervical spondylodiscitis and epidural abscess caused by Klebsiella pneumonia. A 45-year-old man presented with severe posterior neck pain radiating down both arms with decreased range of motion of the neck. He also complained of paresthesia of the upper extremities and a subjective weakness of his right arm. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed spondylodiscitis and epidural abscess on the C5 and C6. In order to obtain adequate drainage of the abscess and complete removal of granulation tissues we performed a total decompressive corpectomy of C5 and C6. After drainage of the abscess, single stage autologous iliac bone graft was performed. The patient was followed by three months with antibiotic treatment confirmed to be sensitive to the organism. Klebsiella pneumonia was cultured postoperatively from the surgical biopsy samples. The patient recovered with no complications and the postoperative MRI showed improvement of the lesions.

Keyword

Spontaneous spondylodiscitis; Cervical epidural abscess; Klebsiella; Decompression; Fusion

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Arm
Biopsy
Decompression
Discitis
Drainage
Epidural Abscess
Granulation Tissue
Humans
Klebsiella
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Middle Aged
Neck
Neck Pain
Paresthesia
Pneumonia
Range of Motion, Articular
Transplants
Upper Extremity