Patients who have undergone neck dissection and radiotherapy are at risk of cervical spine infections. Furthermore, previous radiotherapy and cervical spine infections can lead to fistula formation to the subarachnoid space and intracranial infection. This report discusses the serious consequences of a missed cervical spine infection including cerebrospinal fluid fistula formation and persistent central nervous system infection, and serves as a reminder to clinicians of the possible association between cervical spine infections and prior head and neck surgery and radiotherapy. In all such cases, the posterior pharyngeal wall should be inspected during follow-up. Despite the appearance of an intracranial infection, the cervical spine should be investigated, especially if the response to appropriate antibiotics is suboptimal.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Central Nervous System Infections ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Discitis ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Head and Neck Neoplasms* ; Humans ; Neck ; Neck Dissection ; Radiotherapy* ; Spine ; Subarachnoid Space

Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; cerebrospinal fluid ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging