Wang S, Ren SW, Chang ZQ, Li CH. Utilization of autogenous iliac bone shaped into a low-profile form to repair bone defects following cervical infection: A case report. World J Orthop 2026; 17(6): 121048 [DOI: 10.5312/wjo.v17.i6.121048]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Zheng-Qi Chang, Chief Physician, Department of Orthopedics, 960th Hospital of PLA, No. 25 Shifan Road, Tianqiao District, Jinan 250031, Shandong Province, China. 26766771@qq.com
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Orthopedics
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case-report
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Wang S, Ren SW, Chang ZQ, Li CH. Utilization of autogenous iliac bone shaped into a low-profile form to repair bone defects following cervical infection: A case report. World J Orthop 2026; 17(6): 121048 [DOI: 10.5312/wjo.v17.i6.121048]
World J Orthop. Jun 18, 2026; 17(6): 121048 Published online Jun 18, 2026. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v17.i6.121048
Utilization of autogenous iliac bone shaped into a low-profile form to repair bone defects following cervical infection: A case report
Shuai Wang, Shi-Wei Ren, Zheng-Qi Chang, Chuan-Hai Li
Shuai Wang, Shi-Wei Ren, Zheng-Qi Chang, Department of Orthopedics, 960th Hospital of PLA, Jinan 250031, Shandong Province, China
Chuan-Hai Li, Department of Thoracic Surgery, 960th Hospital of PLA, Jinan 250031, Shandong Province, China
Co-first authors: Shuai Wang and Shi-Wei Ren.
Co-corresponding authors: Zheng-Qi Chang and Chuan-Hai Li.
Author contributions: Li CH and Chang ZQ made substantial contributions to the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data; Chang ZQ was responsible for the conception and design of the study and the drafting and writing of this manuscript; Ren SW and Wang S assisted Chang ZQ in completing the operation; and all the authors confirm the authenticity of all the raw data. Both Chang ZQ and Li CH have played important and indispensable roles in the study design, data interpretation and manuscript preparation as the co-corresponding authors. Chang ZQ conceptualized, designed, and supervised the whole process of the present study. He performed the literature review, revised and submitted the early version of the manuscript with the focus on the shaping design and feasibility analysis of low-profile autologous iliac bone. Li CH was instrumental and responsible for data analysis and interpretation, figure plotting, comprehensive literature search, preparation and submission of the current version of the manuscript with a new focus on the advantages of low-profile autologous iliac bone in repairing bone defects. This collaboration between Chang ZQ and Li CH are crucial for the publication of this manuscript and other manuscripts still in preparation.
Informed consent statement: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this report and any accompanying images.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.
CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).
Corresponding author: Zheng-Qi Chang, Chief Physician, Department of Orthopedics, 960th Hospital of PLA, No. 25 Shifan Road, Tianqiao District, Jinan 250031, Shandong Province, China. 26766771@qq.com
Received: March 16, 2026 Revised: April 7, 2026 Accepted: April 21, 2026 Published online: June 18, 2026 Processing time: 94 Days and 17.8 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Surgical reconstruction of bone defects after cervical spine infection debridement remains challenging due to the limited treatment options available. In this case report, we describe a novel technique using a low-profile, contoured autologous iliac bone graft for the reconstruction of post-debridement bone defects. This approach can effectively reduce the risk of infection, minimize the use of internal fixation devices, and yield favorable clinical outcomes. Our findings demonstrate that low-profile autologous iliac bone grafting is a practically feasible and reliable surgical option for managing bone defects following cervical spine infection debridement.
CASE SUMMARY
A 59-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital with a complaint of neck pain and limited mobility for over a month. Upon admission, a computed tomography scan was performed and revealed a destruction of the C3 and C4 vertebral bodies. Magnetic resonance imaging was also performed and showed a low signal on T1 and high signal on T2 at the anterior edges of the C3 and C4 vertebral bodies. Next, a puncture biopsy was conducted and the results showed neutrophil infiltration and the formation of purulent lesions. Bacterial culture of aspirated fluid obtained during the cervical puncture biopsy indicated the presence of Streptococcus pharyngitis, and a diagnosis of cervical infection was confirmed, for which antibiotic treatment was administered. On the 12th day after admission, the patient experienced severe symptoms of nerve compression and underwent surgery through a combined anterior and posterior approach for cervical canal decompression, lesion debridement, bone grafting, fusion, and internal fixation. During the surgery, a cortical autogenous iliac bone block was trimmed into a low-profile bone block to repair the bone defect. After the operation, the patient's neurological symptoms had disappeared. A follow-up X-ray two months later showed that the iliac bone block and vertebral body had fused properly, and the cervical spine had a normal curvature and stability.
CONCLUSION
After debridement of a cervical infection, one option to repair the resulting bone defects is to employ an autogenous iliac bone shaped into a low-profile form. This offers significant advantages and is a practical approach.
Core Tip: Repairing bone defects after debridement for cervical spine infection is challenging. The use of internal fixation is controversial, and suitable bone graft materials are scarce. As a promising option, we applied low-profile contoured autologous iliac bone grafts, and found that they could reduce the infection risk, minimize internal fixation, and achieve rapid osseous fusion and good adaptability with satisfactory clinical outcomes. This technique is practical and feasible for reconstructing bone defects post-debridement in cervical spine infection.
