Iliac bone Candida albicans osteomyelitis in a patient with iliac crest bone autograft: a case report and review of the literature

Infection. 2012 Aug;40(4):445-9. doi: 10.1007/s15010-012-0276-z. Epub 2012 Jun 16.

Abstract

Candida osteomyelitis is a well recognized but infrequent entity. We describe an interesting case of iliac bone C. albicans osteomyelitis as a result of a surgical trauma of an iliac bone for the auto-grafting of a fracture in the lumbar spine. The peri-operative acquisition of Candida was by the inoculation of a yeast colonizing the skin. Remarkably, several risk factors described for Candida infection and candidemia were absent. The patient also presented with a local fistula. The iliac crest was the only bone affected and local pain was the only symptom present in our case. Diagnosis was made by multiple-specimen biopsy obtained by surgery. Treatment with fluconazole was successful.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bone Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Candida albicans / isolation & purification*
  • Female
  • Fluconazole / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Ilium / microbiology*
  • Ilium / transplantation*
  • Lumbar Vertebrae*
  • Osteomyelitis / drug therapy
  • Osteomyelitis / etiology*
  • Spinal Fractures / surgery*
  • Transplantation, Autologous

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Fluconazole