Presentation
Severe lower back pain overnight after exercising earlier in the day. Fever and positive MSSA blood cultures on admission the following morning.
Patient Data
Findings consistent with L5/S1 disc degenerative changes. No epidural abscess identified.
Extensive work-up performed for source of MSSA septicemia. Intravenous antibiotics commenced. Transesophageal echocardiogram found no vegetations. No skin source identified.
Despite appropriate antibiotics, the CRP continued to stay around 200 and blood cultures persisted to be positive. The patient went on to develop a left L5 grade 3 and S1 grade 4 radiculopathy. No other neurology. No meningism.
A repeat MRI was ordered 9 days after the initial MRI.
Conus dural enhancement and clumping of the nerve roots suggestive of arachnoiditis. Small area of loculated fluid at the left L5/S1 level posterolaterally. Right L5/S1 facet joint fluid.
Case Discussion
The patient went on the following morning to have an L5/S1 laminectomy and drainage of extradural pus. Intraoperatively there was considerable pus under pressure. Multiple samples were sent which all came back positive for polymorphs but no new bacteria were cultured.
Postoperatively he regained some power in his left L5 and S1 myotomes to grade 4 and 5 respectively. His back pain improved and his CRP four days later came down to 50. No further washouts were performed and the patient was discharged home on intravenous antibiotics.
This case highlights the need for appropriate serial examination and investigation despite an initially unconcerning MRI.
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