Abscess of the cervical spine secondary to injection site infection in a heifer

Abstract

BackgroundAbscesses in the neck region can result from infection associated with injection of drugs into the neck muscles. To our knowledge, there have been no reports of osteomyelitis of the cervical vertebra and spinal cord compression secondary to an abscess in the neck. This case report describes the findings in a 9.5-month-old heifer with an abscess of the cervical spine secondary to injection site infection.Case presentationThe main clinical findings were swelling on the left side of the neck, proprioceptive deficits in all limbs and generalised ataxia. The ultrasonographic examination of the swelling showed an abscess. Radiographs showed a well-defined lytic lesion in 5th cervical vertebra (C5). Postmortem examination revealed an intramuscular encapsulated abscess on the left side of the neck at the level of C5. The abscess had invaded the vertebral canal and caused marked compression of the spinal cord.ConclusionsInjection technique is critical for the prevention of problems such as those described in this report. Sterile hypodermic needles must be used, and the volume of drug per injection site limited to 10–15 ml in young cattle.

Suppurative Injection Site lesion In Cattle: Clinico-biochemical, Ultrasonographic and histopathological examinations

“…The echogenic inflammatory cells interspersed the muscle fiber in suppurative myositis making the muscle structure more echogenic. Ultrasonographic images of diseased animals under study were similar to that obtained by Abouelnasr et al [37] and Braun et al [38].…”

Cerebrospinal fluid analysis in 58 ruminants showing neurological disorders

“…and Streptococcus sp., respectively. CSF changes depend on the location of the abscess(es), but when the abscess(es) does not infiltrate the dura mater (pachymeningitis), the CSF may be unchanged (Braun et al 2017b).…”

An oesophageal fistula associated with cervical osteomyelitis in a 17‐month‐old Holstein heifer

“…Considering the anatomical proximity between the oesophageal fistula and the vertebrae C5–C6 (Figure 5), 2,31,32 two hypotheses could explain the case timeline: (i) cervical osteomyelitis secondary to a septic thrombus 33,34 or posttraumatic vertebral sequestrum (Figure 3) spreading the infection to the oesophagus. The temporal relationship between the clinical onset and the first oxytetracycline injection made the hypothesis of cervical osteomyelitis secondary to an intramuscular injection 7 unlikely. (ii) An oesophageal perforation, laceration or rupture, secondary to a foreign body, trauma or chronic pressure necrosis (long‐term oesophageal obstruction) spreads the infection to the cervical vertebrae.…”

“…It is defined as inflammation of a cervical vertebrae, usually due to infection. Currently, the majority of reported cases are the result of haematogenous embolisation (most commonly from pneumonia, umbilical infection or neonatal diarrhoea 4–6 ) or secondary to an intramuscular injection 7,8 . In human medicine, the association between an oesophageal fistula and cervical osteomyelitis has been reported.…”