ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Scedosporium apiospermum (S. apiospermum) is a clinically rare and aggressive fungus mainly found in contaminated water, wetlands, decaying plants, stagnant water, and potted plants in hospitals. The lung, bone, joint, eye, brain, skin, and other sites are easily infected, and there is a marked risk of misdiagnosis. There have been few case reports of infection by S. apiospermum of the lumbar vertebrae; most reports have focused on infection of the lung. CASE SUMMARY: An otherwise healthy 60-year-old man presented with a 4-mo history of lumbosacral pain, stooping, and limited walking. The symptoms were significantly aggravated 10 d prior to hospitalization, and radiating pain in the back of his left lower leg developed, which was so severe that he could not walk. Movement of the lumbar spine was significantly limited, anterior flexion was about 30°; backward extension, right and left lateral curvature, and rotational mobility were about 10°; tenderness of the spinous processes of the lumbar 3-5 vertebrae was evident, and the muscle strength of both lower limbs was grade IV. Imaging suggested bony destruction of the lumbar 3, 4, and 5 vertebrae and sacral 1 vertebra; in addition, the corresponding intervertebral spaces were narrowed and the lumbar 5 vertebra was posteriorly displaced and unstable. Lumbar vertebral infection was also noted, and the possibility of lumbar tuberculosis was considered. We first performed surgical intervention on the lesioned lumbar vertebrae, cleared the infected lesion, and performed stable fixation of the lesioned vertebral body using a lumbar internal fixation device, which restored the stability of the lumbar vertebrae. Cytological and pathological examination of the lesioned tissue removed during surgery confirmed S. apiospermum infection of the lumbar vertebrae; on this basis, the patient was administered voriconazole. At the 6-mo follow-up, efficacy was significant, no drug-related side effects were observed, and imaging examination showed no evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSION: S. apiospermum infection can occur in immunocompetent individuals with no history of near drowning. Voriconazole is effective for the treatment of S. apiospermum infection of the lumbar vertebrae for which it is suitable as the first-line therapy.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Disc herniation refers to the displacement of disc material beyond its anatomical space. Disc sequestration is defined as migration of the herniated disc fragment into the epidural space, completely separating it from the parent disc. The fragment can move in upward, inferior, and lateral directions, which often causes low back pain and discomfort, abnormal sensation, and movement of lower limbs. The free disc fragments detached from the parent disc often mimic spinal tumors. Tumor like lumbar disc herniation can cause clinical symptoms similar to spinal tumors, such as lumbar soreness, pain, numbness and weakness of lower limbs, radiation pain of lower limbs, etc. It is usually necessary to diagnose the disease according to the doctor's clinical experience, and make preliminary diagnosis and differential diagnosis with the help of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and contrast-enhanced MRI. However, pathological examination is the gold standard that distinguishes tumoral from non-tumoral status. We report four cases of disc herniation mimicking a tumor, and all the pathological results were intervertebral disc tissue. CASE SUMMARY: The first case was a 71-year-old man with low back pain accompanied by left lower extremity radiating pain for 1 year, with exacerbation over the last 2 wk. After admission, MRI revealed a circular T2-hypointense lesion in the spinal canal of the L4 vertebral segment, with enhancement on contrast-enhanced MRI suggesting neurilemmoma. The second case was a 74-year-old man with pain in both knees associated with movement limitation for 3 years, with exacerbation over the last 3 mo. MRI revealed an oval T2-hyperintense lesion in the spinal canal at the L4-5 level, with obvious peripheral enhancement on contrast-enhanced MRI. Thus, neurilemmoma was suspected. The third case was a 53-year-old man who presented with numbness and weakness of the lumbar spine and right lower extremity for 2 wk. MRI revealed a round T2-hyperintense lesion in the spinal canal at the L4-5 level, with obvious rim enhancement on contrast-enhanced MRI. Thus, a spinal tumor was suspected. The fourth case was a 75-year-old man with right lower extremity pain for 2 wk, with exacerbation over the last week. MRI revealed a round T1-isointense lesion in the spinal canal of the L3 vertebral segment and a T2-hyperintense signal from the lesion. There was no obvious enhancement on contrast-enhanced MRI, so a spinal tumor was suspected. All four patients underwent surgery and recovered to ASIA grade E on postoperative days 5, 8, 8, and 6, respectively. All patients had an uneventful postoperative course and fully recovered within 3 mo. CONCLUSION: Disc herniation mimicking a tumor is a relatively rare clinical entity and can be easily misdiagnosed as a spinal tumor. Examinations and tests should be improved preoperatively. Patients should undergo comprehensive preoperative evaluations, and the lesions should be removed surgically and confirmed by pathological diagnosis.
