Postoperative bone graft displacement: an unusual sign of infection following posterior spinal fusion

doi:10.2484/rcr.v1i1.9

Radiology Case Reports, Vol 1, No 1 (2006)

Postoperative bone graft displacement: an unusual sign of infection following posterior spinal fusion

Adam P. Myhre, Todd J. Jarosz, John C. Hunter, Michael L. Richardson

Abstract

We describe a case of a spinal fusion site infection, which was first suggested on plain radiographs due to interval displacement and partial dissolution of the bone graft material. These radiographic findings occurred 4 weeks before the infection became clinically evident. Cultures taken during eventual surgical debridement grew Aspergillus fumigatus. This case emphasizes the importance of noting changes in bone graft material in addition to the routine evaluation of alignment and hardware in patients who have undergone posterior spinal fusion.

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