C1-C2 arthrodesis after spontaneous spondylodiscitis: Case report and literature analysis.

Background: () 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 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 virulence in spontaneous cervical spondylodiscitis allows early diagnosis, which is necessary to prevent or reduce complications such as cervical deformity with myelopathy or mediastinitis.