Candia albicans lumbar spondylodiscitis contiguous to infected abdominal aortic aneurysm in an intravenous drug user

Abstract

While the incidence of spondylodiscitis is rising because of longer life expectancy and the increasing use of immunosuppressant drug, indwelling devices and spinal surgeries, the fungal aetiology remains rare, sometimes affecting intravenous drug users. Candida spondylodiscitis is an extremely rare complication post aortic aneurysm repair. It is potentially fatal due to the risk of aneurysm rupture and septic complications. The growing problem of systemic diseases caused by Candida species reflects the enormous increase of patients at risk. The treatment of this complicated entity is challenging and often requiring a multidisciplinary team. We reported the rare case of Candida spondylodiscitis contiguous to infected aortic aneurysm in a 74-year-old male intravenous drug user, to the extent which the vertebral body bony destruction progressed to need one-stage posterior and anterior spinal fusion surgery with curettage. Our surgical intervention combined with prolonged course of antifungal therapy could successfully eradicate the infection and resolve the neurological deficits.