Spondylodiscitis cervical cancer has the potential to cause significant long-term disability and even death if not properly diagnosed and treated.

Spinal infections account for 2% to 7% of all musculoskeletal infections [1]. Their overall incidence continues to rise, in part due to an increase in susceptible patient populations and improvement [2] [3]. Since one of the major causes of spondylodiscitis includes hematogenous dissemination of an infection from a remote source, infections and bacteria originating from other parts of the body serve as risk factors for spinal infections. Other sources of infection resulting in hematogenous spread to the spine include urinary tract infections, dental infections, pneumonia, and skin infections. Skin and soft tissue may be the most frequent source of bacteremia and can be responsible for up to 25% of spinal epidural abscesses [4] [5] [6] [7]. Recommendations for the treatment of spondylodiscitis remain controversial. Various authors recommend conservative treatment with immobilization and antibiotics in cases with minor destruction, aiming at a spontaneous fusion of the vertebral bodies or at least fibrous stiffness [6] [8] [9] [10]. The purpose of this study is to analyze the behaviour of cervical spondylodiscitis in a single institution over two decades and to discuss the changes that occurred in surgical management over time.

We report the case of a patient with a history of tracheostomy infection after being admitted for cervical pain and heaviness of upper limbs, ASIA E, Frankel E grading system, and in whom the explorations came back in favour of a cervical spondylodiscitis.

The management of patients with cervical discitis and an underlying tracheostomy infection is particularly challenging. However no systematic review of the management of these coincidences has been published, and no robust evidence is available. Indications for surgical intervention include compression of neural elements, spinal instability due to extensive bony destruction, severe kyphosis, or failure of conservative management [9] [11] [12] [13] [14].

Cervical spondylodiscitis and kyphotic deformity may occur with possible retropulsion of necrotic bone and disc fragments, compressing the spinal cord. The choice of and is guided by the resultsof direct culture when positive. In 40% - 50% of cases where no organism is isolated, broad-spectrum antibiotics should be used. A few cases of spondylodiscitis caused by E. coli or salmonella have been identified in the literature and explained by hematogenous diffusion [15]. The time usually for antibiotics is arbitrarily 4 or 6 weeks, followed by oral antibiotics for an additional 4 or 6 weeks. We assume that the spondylodiscitis in our case resulted from the dissemination seen on tracheostomy. Our patient did not have fever or leukocytosis on presentation; these are absent in 50% of cases [7] making the diagnosis more challenging.The route of infection was identified in 52% of cases, with bacteremia as the most common (26%), followed by recent surgery/procedure (21%) and spinal injection (6%) [3]. The vertebral body is primarily a load-bearing structure. The gradual destruction of the vertebral body and intervertebral disc causes local instability and a gradual increase in deformity (kyphosis) [16]. The advantages of corpectomy removal are that it requires a very wide bony opening for drainage of the pus, and it can be tailored intraoperatively to any given situation.

Furthermore, cervical spondylodiscitis does not preclude the possibility of further instrumental fusion. For example, some authors advocated a two-staged procedure, where debridement with or without grafting isperformed first; then, this may be followed by a delayed secondary instrumental fusion. Thus, the OC provides the option of a ‘‘wait-and-see’’ approach after decompression.

Surgery and conservative management are treatment options for cervical spondylodiscitis. Surgical procedures should be considered in patients with extensive spine involvement, severe deformity, vertebral body collapse, prevertebral cervical abscess, advanced neurological involvement, and any sign of progressive recovery despite conservative therapy [6]. Our patient underwent a corpectomy of C3 and C4 with an iliac graft and anterior cervical plate. Then a reinforced neck brace was applied for 3 months. The evolution is often favourable when patients are managed as soon as the first symptoms appear.

Outcomes are generally good and antibiotics together.

Spondylodiscitis of the cervical spine is a rare, but serious manifestation of this disease. Localization at the cervical spine is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, especially involving neurological deficits. Operative treatment of spondylodiscitis seems to be the preferred therapeutic option by restoring spinal alignment and stability, as well as curation of the inflammatory process. Thus, partial or complete resolution of neurological deficits can be achieved. Operative treatment should address meticulous debridement, bony fusion, restoration of the normal alignment, and stable fixation

This case report did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sector.

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of the submitted article and accompanying images.

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported.

Dimbimakoso, J., Alngar, D., Yolande, M.M., Hamama, M., Fatemi, N. and El Maaquil, R. (2023) Cervical Spondylodiscitis Revealed by Tracheostomy Infected: A Rare Case Report Management and Outcome. Open Journal of Modern Neurosurgery, 13, 18-24. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojmn.2023.131003