A hepatic abscess complicated with spinal infection and a psoas abscess: a case report and literature review
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Background Dissemination of bacteria from a Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess through the bloodstream can occur, with the rare clinical occurrence of concurrent multilevel spinal epidural infection and a psoas abscess, which pose a high risk of disability. This report describes a case of complicated spinal infection secondary to a liver abscess. Case presentation A 65-year-old male patient with type 2 diabetes and a history of K. pneumoniae liver abscess subsequently developed multilevel epidural infection, discitis, osteomyelitis, and psoas abscess, with the pathogen being a subspecies of K. pneumoniae . The patient underwent multiple staged surgical debridements and received combined repeated vacuum sealing drainage (negative-pressure wound therapy). In the neurological function assessments, the patient was admitted as American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) C, the lowest grade, and discharged as ASIA E. At the latest follow-up, the patient had good infection control, could walk short distances with a thoracolumbosacral orthosis, and had no recurrence of infection. Conclusion In diabetic patients with a K. pneumoniae liver abscess, clinicians should be vigilant for hematogenous spinal infections. For critically ill patients with extensive multilevel spinal infections, staged debridement combined with negative-pressure wound therapy is a feasible treatment strategy.
Source: Frontiers in Medicine
Authors: Xingsheng Yu, Hao Xing, Zhengqi Chang
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7223085720