1. 2009;12;E285-E290Vertebral Osteomyelitis Following Vertebroplasty: Is Acne a Potential Contraindication and Are Prophylactic Antibiotics Mandatory Prior to Vertebroplasty?
   Case Report
   Kamal Morar, MD, Mutahher Ibarze Mohammed, BS, Bindu Avutu, MD, MPH, Azim Shaikh, MD, MBA, Hannah Sparks, BS, RT, MBA, and Mubin I. Syed, MD.

We present a case of vertebral osteomyelitis following vertebroplasty in a patient with acne of the back. Vertebral biopsy revealed Corynebacterium species and blood cultures were positive for Propionibacterium species.

The patient did not respond to long-term intravenous antibiotics and required vertebral corpectomy and debridement with instrumentation. Interventionalists should be able to recognize acne of the back and consider this as a potential contraindication to vertebroplasty.

Prophylactic antibiotics should be considered in all patients prior to vertebroplasty since subepidermal organisms are not eliminated with the standard skin prep.