Delayed surgical site infection 2 years after cervical disk arthroplasty. Case report and literature review

Neurocirugia (Astur : Engl Ed). 2019 Mar-Apr;30(2):81-86. doi: 10.1016/j.neucir.2018.02.004. Epub 2018 Apr 4.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Anterior cervical discectomy has a low non-mechanical complication rate. In our literature review, we found 7 cases of delayed surgical site infection. We report a case of cervical prevertebral abscess due to Propionibacterium acnes 2 years after discectomy and arthroplasty, with a beta-2-transferrin false positive test as a complementary highlighted finding. We discuss the diagnosis and etiology of this rare delayed infectious complication.

Keywords: Absceso cervical; Artroplastia cervical; Beta-2-transferrin; Beta-2-transferrina; Cervical abscess; Cervical disk arthroplasty; Delayed infection; Infección del sitio quirúrgico; Infección diferida; Neuraminidasa; Neuraminidase; Surgical site infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / diagnostic imaging*
  • Arthroplasty*
  • Cervical Vertebrae / surgery*
  • Diskectomy*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Propionibacterium acnes*
  • Spinal Fusion*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / diagnostic imaging*
  • Time Factors