{"id":"1770a622-c66b-43d4-8d3c-bb247f0bf9a8","slug":"c1-c2-arthrodesis-after-spontaneous-propionibacterium-acnes-spondylodiscitis-case-report-and-literature-analysis","title":"C1-C2 arthrodesis after spontaneous <i>Propionibacterium acnes</i> spondylodiscitis: Case report and literature analysis","authors":["Paolo di Russo","Carlo Tascini","Maria Elena Benini","Carlotta Martini","Paolo Lepori"],"abstract":"Background: Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a microaerophilic anaerobic Gram-positive rod responsible for acne vulgaris. Although it is often considered to be a skin contaminant, it may act as a virulent agent in implant-associated infections. Conversely, spontaneous infectious processes have been rarely described. Case Description: Here, we describe a 43-year-old female with C1-C2 spondylodiscitis attributed to P. acnes infection. Despite long-term antibiotic treatment, computed tomography demonstrated erosion of the C1 and C2 vertebral complex that later warranted a fusion. One year postoperatively, the patient was asymptomatic. Conclusions: Clinical knowledge of P. acnes virulence in spontaneous cervical spondylodiscitis allows early diagnosis, which is necessary to prevent or reduce complications such as cervical deformity with myelopathy or mediastinitis.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/1770a622-c66b-43d4-8d3c-bb247f0bf9a8/featured/hero-1782420788247.png","publishDate":"2018-01-22T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/sni.sni_96_17","categories":["Spine","Case Report"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/1770a622-c66b-43d4-8d3c-bb247f0bf9a8/pdf"}