Delayed Presentation of an Esophageal Perforation Many Years after Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: A Case Report

Sven Bamps1,2*, Sacha Meeuws1, Maarten Wissels1, Gert Roosen1, Wim Duyvendak1, Steven Vanvolsem1, Eric Put1 and Mark Plazier1,2

1Department of Neurosurgery, Jessa Hospital Hasselt, Belgium
2Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Hasselt, Belgium

^*Correspondance to: Sven Bamps 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.3384

Abstract

Cervical osteomyelitis due to an esophageal perforation is a rare condition with a high morbidity and mortality. Its presentation can be acute of chronic which makes the diagnosis not always straightforward. Usually it is seen in patients who underwent anterior cervical surgery. Patients may present up to many years later with a variety of symptoms. We report a delayed presentation of cervical osteomyelitis in a 51-year-old woman who suffered from increasing cervicalgia and thoracic discomfort. Imaging revealed a prevertebral abscess with osteomyelitis and loosening of the anterior plate fixation which she underwent ten years ago following ACDF. A two-stage surgical intervention was necessary, followed by long term antibiotic therapy. The recovery was long but satisfactory with an improvement of the presenting complaints. There are several therapeutic options for the management of cervical spine infection described in the literature; we will briefly address the most prevalent techniques.

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Cite the article

Bamps S, Meeuws S, Wissels M, Roosen G, Duyvendak W, Vanvolsem S, et al. Delayed Presentation of an Esophageal Perforation Many Years after Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: A Case Report. Clin Surg. 2021; 6: 3384..