Fungal Arthritis of a Lumbar Facet Joint Because of Candida albicans: A Case Report

JBJS Case Connect. 2022 Nov 18;12(4). doi: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.22.00246. eCollection 2022 Oct 1.

Abstract

Case: A 73-year-old man who was treated in our hospital for pyelonephritis because of left ureteral stones and fungemia was referred to our orthopaedic department for persistent right lower-back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography findings showed pyogenic arthritis of the right L4/5 facet joint with a paraspinal muscle abscess. Based on cultures of samples aspirated from the lesions, we diagnosed the patient with fungal arthritis of the lumbar facet joint. We treated him conservatively with an antifungal agent for a year, and the infection resolved.

Conclusion: This is the first report of hematogenous fungal arthritis of a lumbar facet joint.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / microbiology
  • Aged
  • Arthritis*
  • Candida albicans
  • Humans
  • Low Back Pain* / etiology
  • Male
  • Zygapophyseal Joint* / pathology