Purulent osteomyelitis of the cervical spine with epidural abscess: Operative treatment by means of dorsal and ventral approach

Summary The present case concerns an acute purulent osteomyelitis with an epidural abscess, located particularly in the intervertebral foramen between C5 and C6, which led to infection by staphylococci of the adjacent vertebral arches and vertebral bodies. An obstruction of the CSF passage was discovered by myelography at the level between C5 and C6. The bony tissue changed by inflammation was removed as far as possible by laminectomy. After irrigation of the epidural space with antibiotics and after control of the severe inflammation, the vertebral bodies C6 and C7 which were destroyed by the spreading inflammatory granulations, could be removed by a ventral approach 4 weeks later. The defect was filled with spongiosa chips. After immobilisation in a plaster shell and Crutchfield extension for 8 weeks the patient was slowly mobilized. A fusion of the vertebral bodies C5 and C6, C6/C7 and C7/D1 was achieved. A dislocation of the cervical spine did not occur and the patient recovered completely except for a paresis of the right hand. Treatment of this very rare and severe case was only possible by a combined dorsal and ventral procedure on the cervical spine.