Lumbar Discitis and Osteomyelitis After a Spinal Stem Cell Injection?: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Case: A 32-year-old man developed lumbar discitis and osteomyelitis after receiving a cell-based injection for the treatment of degenerative disc disease. Initial cultures were negative, but he continued to worsen, and a repeat set of cultures was taken. On day 10, Cutibacterium acnes was isolated. He was then successfully treated with 12 weeks of intravenous antibiotics.

Conclusions: There is minimal regulation on the preparation or administration of cell-based interventions. It is important to consider slow growing organisms such as C. acnes in patients presenting with spinal infection with insidious onset after these treatments.