Thoracic osteomyelitis and eustachian valve endocarditis: a case report
and review of the literature
Abstract
Infective endocarditis and vertebral osteomyelitis are rare infections,
most commonly caused by methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus
(MSSA). The eustachian valve is an embryological remnant of the inferior
vena cava that has the potential to harbor a nidus leading to infective
endocarditis. Eustachian valve endocarditis has been documented in the
literature on less than 50 occasions and has yet to be documented in the
presence of concomitant vertebral osteomyelitis. In this case, we
present a 43-year-old African American male presenting with vertebral
osteomyelitis caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA). Persistent bacteremia prompted the identification of a
vegetative growth on a eustachian valve remnant. This case helps mend
the gap in the literature by documenting the treatment considerations in
a patient with eustachian valve endocarditis in the presence of
osteomyelitis caused by MRSA.