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Radiation-induced pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis after re-irradiation for para-aortic lymph node metastases in a patient with cervical cancer

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Abstract

This article describes a case of radiation-induced pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (PVO) after re-irradiation for para-aortic lymph node metastases in a patient with cervical cancer. A 62-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with fever and severe back pain 4 months after re-irradiation (initially 56 Gy plus a secondary 50 Gy) of the para-aortic lymph nodes at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra. Streptococcus group G was detected in a vertebral biopsy specimen and blood cultures. The patient was diagnosed with radiation-induced PVO, and intravenous antibiotic therapy was initiated. Symptoms improved significantly 2 weeks later. The patient was healthy with no evidence of relapse 5 years after the second course of radiotherapy.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Correspondence to Ippei Takahashi.

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Takahashi, I., Kaneyasu, Y., Yamamoto, Y. et al. Radiation-induced pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis after re-irradiation for para-aortic lymph node metastases in a patient with cervical cancer. Int Canc Conf J 3, 207–210 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13691-013-0145-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13691-013-0145-3

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