Cervical Spine Infection with Kyphosis
Published by Dr. Mayur Kardile — Pune Spine Institute
Case Overview
A 65-year-old lady with chronic renal failure complained of pain in the neck and gradual difficulty in walking. Her weakened immune system (from renal failure) had made her susceptible to spinal infection.
MRI revealed infection at the C5 and C6 vertebral level with kyphosis deformity. The infective tissue was pressing on the spinal cord, giving rise to symptoms of cervical myelopathy — weakness, difficulty walking, and risk of paralysis.
CT scan confirmed complete destruction and collapse of C5 and C6 vertebrae with kyphotic deformity — both the infection and the deformity needed to be addressed.
She was operated in two stages: 1. C5 and C6 Corpectomy (removal of destroyed vertebrae) and reconstruction with a cage through the front 2. Posterior cervical instrumentation and fusion from C3 to T1
She was later treated with culture-directed antibiotics. The patient recovered well after the surgery and returned to her normal life.
Key Case Highlights
- 165-year-old with chronic renal failure — C5-C6 spinal infection with kyphosis
- 2Symptoms: neck pain, difficulty walking (cervical myelopathy)
- 3CT: complete destruction of C5-C6 vertebrae
- 4Two-stage surgery: anterior corpectomy + cage, then posterior C3-T1 fusion
- 5Culture-directed antibiotics post-surgery
- 6Full recovery and return to normal life
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Dr. Mayur Kardile
MS Orth | DNB | MCh (Toronto) | FRCSC
Fellowship-trained spine surgeon from Toronto. Trained in North America with expertise in complex deformity correction, minimally invasive surgery, and revision spine procedures.
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