Abstract
Acute haematogenous infection of a closed fractures is rare. A 68-year-old diabetic
male sustained a burst fracture of a lumbar vertebra (L2) after a fall onto his back.
After 5 days of conservative management, he developed a chest infection and amoxicillin was
commenced empirically. However, after 6 days his previously moderate focal L2 back pain had become more severe. Pyrexia and
systemic inflammatory markers continued to rise despite administration of antibiotics.
Blood cultures and a CT-guided biopsy of L2 both revealed Staphylococcus aureus which was sensitive to flucloxacillin. The patient’s symptoms and signs gradually
normalised following administration of flucloxacillin for 6 weeks, and the use of a cast brace. We conclude that haematogenous infection can be
successfully managed non-operatively.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
February 8,
2009
Received:
November 27,
2008
Identification
Copyright
© 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
