[Fistulous pulmonary abscess in the bronchi detected by staphylococcal spondylodiscitis, with the presence of bony sequestra in the bronchial secretions]

Abstract

The authors report the case of a man aged 70 who was admitted to hospital for staphylococcal pulmonary suppuration which occurred during the long-term follow-up for an osteosynthesis for a fractured humerus. The diagnosis of a pulmonary abscess in contiguity with a staphylococcal spondylodiscitis was only established by computed tomographic examination and the aspiration from a vertebral body. The outcome was fatal, despite appropriate antibiotic treatment, on account of the past medical history of the patient. The diagnosis might have been made by the presence of osseous sequestra in the bronchial secretions, the bronchial fistulae in contiguity with the vertebral column was confirmed at autopsy.