Yuan Xiao-Xiao, Tan Qiong-Qiong, Chen Chen, He Qing-Qing, Li Yan-Ning
Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The 960 Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Jinan 250031, Shandong Province, China.
World J Clin Cases. 2025 Jul 6;13(19):104294. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v13.i19.104294.
Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are widely used for administering chemotherapy to breast cancer patients due to their long-term indwelling capability, versatility in drug administration, and flexibility. PICCs infection are a relatively common occurrence, yet there were no reported instances that it can metastasise to the lumbar spine.
This case report describes a breast cancer patient who developed a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus lumbar vertebral infection secondary to a PICC-related infection during chemotherapy. Following PICC removal, bacterial culture confirmed the presence of highly virulent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The patient presented with fever and severe lumbar pain. Lumbar magnetic resonance imaging revealed paraspinal muscle edema from L1 to L3 with abnormal signal intensity in the affected regions, suggestive of vertebral osteomyelitis. Prompt initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy based on the culture results led to significant improvement in the patient's lumbar pain.
This case highlights the importance of vigilant infection prevention and control measures to minimize the risk of PICC-related complications, such as bloodstream infections and subsequent metastatic infections.
经外周静脉穿刺中心静脉导管（PICC）因其长期留置能力、给药的多功能性和灵活性，被广泛用于乳腺癌患者的化疗给药。PICC感染相对常见，但尚无报道称其会转移至腰椎。
本病例报告描述了一名乳腺癌患者，在化疗期间因PICC相关感染继发耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌腰椎感染。拔除PICC后，细菌培养证实存在高毒力的耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌。患者出现发热和严重腰痛。腰椎磁共振成像显示L1至L3椎旁肌肉水肿，受累区域信号强度异常，提示椎体骨髓炎。根据培养结果及时开始适当的抗生素治疗，使患者的腰痛得到显著改善。
本病例强调了警惕感染预防和控制措施以尽量降低PICC相关并发症（如血流感染及随后的转移性感染）风险的重要性。
