Thoracic Spine Pyogenic Infection
Published by Dr. Mayur Kardile — Pune Spine Institute
Case Overview
A 69-year-old lady with Chronic Renal Failure undergoing hemodialysis presented with severe back pain. Patients on hemodialysis are particularly susceptible to haematogenous (blood-borne) spinal infections.
MRI revealed an infective focus at T11-12 level. CT scan showed gross destruction of T11-T12 vertebrae with complete loss of structural support to the spine — a precarious situation with risk of vertebral collapse.
Surgery was performed to stabilize the spine with pedicle screws. The vertebral body destroyed by infection was replaced with a cage and bone graft, restoring mechanical stability to the thoracic spine.
Cultures grew E. coli, for which she was treated with targeted antibiotics. The restoration of mechanical stability to the spine allowed the infection to be treated effectively with antibiotics.
Key Case Highlights
- 169-year-old on hemodialysis — high infection risk
- 2MRI: T11-T12 infective focus; CT: gross vertebral destruction
- 3Surgery: pedicle screws + cage and bone graft for T11-T12 reconstruction
- 4Cultures grew E. coli — treated with targeted antibiotics
- 5Surgery restores mechanical stability, enabling effective antibiotic treatment
- 6Hemodialysis patients are at high risk for haematogenous spinal infection
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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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