Spinal cord injury as a result of Staphylococcus aureus pyogenic spinal infection complicating infected atopic eczema: two case reports

Pyogenic spinal infections (PSI) are a rare cause of spinal cord injury (SCI). Staphylococcus aureus is the most common causative organism. Atopic eczema can lead to a breakdown of the skin’s natural barrier function, allowing bacterial colonisation and infection. Bacteria from the skin can then spread to the spine. This paper presents two cases where patients developed spinal cord injuries due to spinal infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, which originated from infected atopic eczema.

• 1
  Both patients developed spinal cord injuries as a result of pyogenic spinal infections (PSI) caused by Staphylococcus aureus originating from infected atopic eczema.
• 2
  The first patient developed incomplete tetraplegia (C3 AIS C), requiring significant assistance after discharge. The second patient had incomplete paraplegia (L3 AIS D) and was more independent at discharge.
• 3
  The authors believe these are the only published cases of PSI and subsequent SCI caused by secondarily infected atopic eczema.