A FISTULOUS PULMONARY ABSCESS IN THE BRON CHI REVEALING A STAPHYLOCOCCAL SPONDYLODISCITIS, WITH THE PRESENCE OF BONY SEQUESTRAE IN THE BRONCHIAL-SECRETIONS

The authors report the case of a man aged 70 who was admitted to hospi tal for staphylococcal pulmonary suppuration which occurred during the long-term follow-up for an osteosynthesis for a fractured humerus. Th e diagnosis of a pulmonary abscess in contiguity with a staphylococcal spondylodiscitis was only established by computed tomographic examina tion and the aspiration from a vertebral body. The outcome was fatal, despite appropriate antibiotic treatment, on account of the past medic al history of the patient. The diagnosis might have been made by the p resence of osseous sequestrae in the bronchial secretions, the bronchi al fistulae in contiguity with the vertebral column was confirmed at a utopsy.