Jill L Hanck1, Antonio E Muñiz. 1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Spinal vertebral fractures are common in elderly patients, especially after a significant fall. Neck tenderness or neurologic deficits after a fall should increase the suspicion of cervical spinal fracture. CASE REPORT: A 75-year-old woman complained of 2 weeks of gradually increasing neck and right shoulder pain after a fall. She had an X-ray study that appeared to show an unstable C6-C7 fracture. A computed tomography scan of the neck revealed no fracture and was consistent with spondylodiscitis and osteomyelitis of C6 and C7, with an adjacent epidural abscess and mild cord compression. CONCLUSION: It is important to consider this diagnosis in patients with a history of infective endocarditis who develop back pain, to minimize morbidity associated with this disorder. Copyright Â
BACKGROUND:Spinal vertebral fractures are common in elderly patients, especially after a significant fall. Neck tenderness or neurologic deficits after a fall should increase the suspicion of cervical spinal fracture. CASE REPORT: A 75-year-old woman complained of 2 weeks of gradually increasing neck and right shoulder pain after a fall. She had an X-ray study that appeared to show an unstable C6-C7 fracture. A computed tomography scan of the neck revealed no fracture and was consistent with spondylodiscitis and osteomyelitis of C6 and C7, with an adjacent epidural abscess and mild cord compression. CONCLUSION: It is important to consider this diagnosis in patients with a history of infective endocarditis who develop back pain, to minimize morbidity associated with this disorder. Copyright Â