The patient was operated the next day, and a small infected surgical sponge was removed. 

Infection of the surgical site following spinal surgery are rare but considered as a serious complication, cause of increased morbidity. Usually due to infected spinal instrumentation, rarely attributed to an infection of the retained surgical sponges as in this case. The diagnosis is usually suspected on clinical presentation and laboratory investigations, and confirmed by the imaging modalities.

Additional contributor: R Bouguelaa, MD.