Thoracic Fungal Osteomyelitis with Compressive Myelopathy in an Immunocompetent Individual by a Rare Fusarium Species: A Case Report

Background: Thoracic vertebral osteomyelitis/spondylodiscitis and spinal epidural abscess are rare but life-threatening conditions, commonly seen in immunocompromised persons. It requires early detection and prompt management, to avoid late sequelae and complications. The cause for this abscess can be pyogenic, tuberculosis, fungal, or parasitic. Candida and Aspergillus species are the most common fungal causes which mainly present as discitis or osteomyelitis in the immunocompromised patient, after hematogenous dissemination. Case discussion: We report about Fusarium , an opportunistic human pathogen which is a normal commensal of human skin flora, in a 60-year- old healthy gentleman with no immunocompromised stage, the rare cause of thoracic vertebral osteomyelitis with epidural abscess D9 to D11 with compressive myelopathy and neurological deficit in this article. Conclusion: Along with aerobic, anaerobic bacterial and tuberculous, microbiological and histopathological investigations should also include fungal workup. Proper fungal isolation from the tissue is a must for prompt treatment and a better outcome for the patient.