Nonsurgical management of Fusobacterium necrophorum sternoclavicular septic arthritis: a case report

Sternoclavicular septic arthritis (SCSA) is a rare condition most commonly seen in IV drug users and may progress to life-threatening complications [1, 2]. Its incidence remains unknown and unusual, but mentioned within thoracic surgery [2]. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus (pneumoniae, pyogenes, viridans), Pseudomonas, and E. coli are among the most commonly identified underlying pathogens [3‐5]. Fusobacterium necrophorum is an obligate anaerobic, nonmotile, non-spore-forming, Gram-negative rod that is part of the normal flora of the oral cavity, female genital tract, and gastrointestinal tract [6]. The microbe is commonly implicated in Lemierre’s syndrome and following the advent of antibiotics has significantly decreased in incidence, being seen as a “forgotten disease.” However, clinical reemergence of infection and syndrome presentation is now increasingly common due to resistant organisms [7]. There are case reports of F. necrophorum causing severe infection in otherwise healthy patients, requiring broad-spectrum antibiotics for its treatment [8]. To our knowledge, this is the second report of Fusobacterium necrophorum sternoclavicular septic arthritis and the first since 1993 [9]. We aim to broaden available insight into a rare but relevant clinical condition, currently lacking presentation in literature.

Due to limited evidence given its rarity and significant risk associated (i.e., osteomyelitis) with failure of conservative treatment, therapeutic strategies to treat F. necrophorum SCSA varies widely across providers [11, 15]. Although conservative management has been attempted, its failure rate is as high as 83%, with serious associated complications such as osteomyelitis [11]. In general, SCSA is managed aggressively at most medical centers, and surgical resection involving muscle flap closure is considered its gold-standard treatment.

A 38-year-old Caucasian woman with body mass index (BMI, kg/m²) of 28.7 kg/m² and medical history notable for anxiety, uterine fibroid treated with fibroid embolization, and human papilloma virus infection was transferred from an outside hospital with neck computed tomography (CT) concerning for cervical abscess and septic arthritis of the left sternoclavicular joint. Four days prior to this presentation, she presented to a local urgent care clinic, where she was tested positive for influenza A and was treated with oseltamivir. While on the therapy, the patient developed acute-onset edema and anterior neck pain, worse upon movement of the neck and the chest. The patient denied any recent trauma, injury, or travel. The patient’s physical examination was notable for diffuse erythema over neck, upper back, and anterior chest wall with tenderness at the left SC joint, bilateral deltoid muscles, and central sternal area. She was afebrile with temperature of 98.7 °F, and laboratory results were unremarkable with white cell count of 18 x 10⁹/L, hemoglobin level of 7.8 g/dl, and blood urea nitrogen level of 4 mg/dL.

Two weeks after discharge, the patient reported ongoing left shoulder pain upon movement with persistent local edema and tenderness in her left chest. CT scan revealed a new erosion at the left clavicular head and the articular surface of the manubrium at the left sternoclavicular joint, suggestive of new septic arthritis. Her examination was notable for well-healed neck incision and mild erythema and swelling of the left sternoclavicular joint with tenderness. The patient was afebrile, and her laboratory results were notable for erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 85, C-reactive protein level of 10.5, and normal white blood cell count. Metronidazole (500 mg/day) was added to her amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (875 mg + 125 mg/day) antibiotic regimen.

Three weeks after discharge, the patient presented with worsening chest pain, fever, and chills, worsening pain and swelling over her central chest. Repeat CT showed increased erosions of the left sternoclavicular joint (Fig. 1). She was admitted to the hospital, placed on IV antibiotics (pipercillin + tazobactam, 3.375 g, Q6H, IV) and underwent interventional radiology-guided drainage of the left SCSA. She responded well and was discharged with intravenous piperacillin + tazobactam regimen for 7 weeks.

Upon completion of her antibiotic regimen, she was symptom free, with CT showing only minimal residual fat stranding overlying the left pectoralis muscle. The patient was transitioned to sole oral amoxicillin + clavulanic acid treatment for additional 6 weeks. The patient remained well, without symptoms for more than a year.

This case report describes successful nonsurgical management of Fusobacterium necrophorum, a rare but potentially relevant pathogen of interest for SCSA. SCSA management is guided by grading of the severity of signs and symptoms. Three weeks after the initial incision and drainage of the SCSA, our patient presented with grade II SCSA (pain and systemic signs of inflammation, joint effusion, and erosion at the sternoclavicular joint), for which surgical treatment is recommended according to Abu et al. [12]. However, after careful discussion with the patient and consideration of the overall presentation and health, we opted for successful Interventional-radiology (IR) -guided aspiration and 7 weeks of intravenous piperacillin with peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placement (3.375 mg IV q6hr).

This report describes the second case of successful medical management of F. necrophorum SCSA. We have identified three variables in our patient that may account for the sufficiency of medical management: the patient’s overall health, the causative organism, and the extent of infection: our patient was young and healthy without risk factors, without osteomyelitis, with F. necrophorum. Unlike SCSA caused by other common pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas, F. necrophorum has been demonstrated to respond well to antibiotics [8].

Conservative management with close follow-up should be considered in healthy patients presenting with isolated SCSA caused by certain select pathogens [12]. We suggest careful consideration of treatment options before proceeding with invasive surgical interventions.

Septic arthritis of sternoclavicular joint is a relatively uncommon infection with significant variations in its categorization and management strategies. This report outlines successful nonstandard nonsurgical management of SCSA caused by rare underlying F. necrophorum infection in an otherwise healthy female. We identified three key variables that may be considered regarding medical management of SCSA: patient factors, causative organism, and the extent of infection. We recommend further research and exploration into conservative and multidisciplinary management of isolated Fusobacterium necrophorum sternoclavicular septic arthritis in otherwise healthy patients.