Multilevel vertebral osteomyelitis and facet joint infection following epidural catheterisation.

We report a case of multilevel vertebral osteomyelitis with facet joint infection after epidural catheterisation. Back pain relating to regional anaesthetic techniques is common and usually self-limiting. However, it is essential to consider infection in any differential diagnosis. Prolonged use of these regional anaesthetics post-operatively makes the possibility of infection more likely. The microbiology of spine infection resulting from direct spread is not well documented but the few cases reported suggest a wide range of causative organisms. For this reason in cases of spinal infection resulting from epidural catheterisation every effort should be made to obtain a direct tissue sample for pathogen identification and one should not simply rely on blood cultures or nonspecific empirical antimicrobials. Delays in commencing appropriate antimicrobials may result in considerable morbidity.

Spontaneous kyphotic collapse followed by autostabilisation secondary to cervical osteomyelitis in an intravenous drug abuser.

There is a high risk of cervical osteomyelitis in intravenous drug abusers due to the use of jugular veins for administration of drugs. Here described is a case of rapid vertebral body destruction at two levels leading to a progressive kyphotic deformity followed by autofusion, secondary to cervical osteomyelitis. The case report goes on to hypothesise about the unique manner of progression of untreated cervical osteomyelitis with a rapid onset of kyphotic deformity and associated severe bone destruction in an intravenous drug abuser. Due to the high incidence of osteomyelitis in intravenous drug abusers, there should be a low threshold to investigate for this condition and early magnetic resonance imaging is vital. It alerts the treating spine surgeon to the fact that early immobilisation is crucial in these cases to prevent a severe impending deformity that can be surgically challenging.