Study design: A case of vertebral osteomyelitis secondary to epidural catheter use is reported.
Objective: To investigate the occurrence of vertebral osteomyelitis after the use of an epidural catheter.
Summary of background data: Vertebral osteomyelitis is a rare but serious complication of epidural catheter use that apparently has not been reported previously in orthopedic literature.
Methods: A patient underwent abdominal surgery, and an epidural catheter was used for postoperative pain relief. He presented 3 months later with severe midlumbar pain. Magnetic resonance imaging and microbiologic examination of a specimen obtained at open biopsy were used in the investigation.
Results: Magnetic resonance imaging suggested vertebral osteomyelitis involving L1-L3. The patient underwent open debridement and posterior instrument stabilization. Biopsies taken from L3 pedicles yielded Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which had been recovered earlier from the epidural catheter tip.
Conclusion: Vertebral osteomyelitis is a rare but serious complication of epidural catheter use.