Case Report Cervical discitis with spinal epidural abscess after percutaneous nucleoplasty: a case report

Disc space infections are a rare complication that can potentially follow any invasive spinal procedure. Infections of the cervical region, such as epidural abscesses, are particularly rare and should be diagnosed and treated decisively. In this report, we study a 46-year-old male patient with severe neck pain radiating to his left upper extremity after percutaneous cervical Coblation® nucleoplasty, a previously undocumented complication. A thorough examination revealed osteomyelitis with an accompanying epidural abscess at the site of related disc. The patient experienced symptomatic relief immediately after emergency debridement and reconstruction of the related segment. Following the administration of culture-sensitive antibiotics and appropriate post-operative management, repeated imaging and physical exam revealed a satisfactory recovery. Taken together, cervical discitis is an infrequent iatrogenic complication with potentially catastrophic sequelae. It is important for understanding potential risks, early diagnosis via physical exam and imaging, and prompt management with open surgical treatment and antibiotic therapy for successful management of this rare complication.