Post-operative MRSA Infection of the Lumbar Spine in a Misdiagnosed Case of Spine Trauma – A Case Report and Review of Literature

A 56-year-old male patient sustained a fracture of the body of L3 vertebral body following a trivial road traffic accident. He underwent laminectomy L3 and stabilization of L2 and L4 with pedicle screws, in a different hospital. 70 days after the index surgery, the patient presented with severe back pain throughout the day and night. Upon, evaluation he was found to have an abscess at the operation site due to an MRSA infection. On further evaluation, he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Six weeks after the abscess drainage and implant removal he underwent re-instrumentation, two levels above and below the fractured vertebrae (L3). He underwent chemotherapy for multiple myeloma. Eight months after the second surgery, the patient presented with surgical site infection, abscess, and implant loosening. The Abscess was drained and the implants were removed. Later on, the patient developed hyponatremia. Later he was taken to another hospital and died 5 days later.