Cervical Spondylitis and Epidural Abscess Caused by Brucellosis: a Case Report and Literature Review

Folia Med (Plovdiv). 2016 Dec 1;58(4):289-292. doi: 10.1515/folmed-2016-0035.

Abstract

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease widely seen in endemic regions and that can lead to systemic involvement. The musculoskeletal system is frequently affected, and the disease can exhibit clinical involvements such as arthritis, spondylitis, spondylodiscitis, osteomyelitis, tenosynovitis and bursitis. Spondylitis and spondylodiscitis, common complications of brucellosis, predominantly affect the lumbar and thoracic vertebrae. Epidural abscess may occur as a rare complication of spondylitis. Spinal brucellosis and development of epidural abscess in the cervical region are rare. Development of epidural abscess affects the duration and success of treatment. Spinal brucellosis should be considered in patients presenting with fever and lower back-neck pain in endemic regions, and treatment must be initiated with early diagnosis in order to prevent potential complications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brucellosis / diagnosis*
  • Brucellosis / drug therapy
  • Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging*
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Epidural Abscess / diagnostic imaging*
  • Epidural Abscess / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Rifampin / therapeutic use
  • Spondylitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Spondylitis / drug therapy
  • Streptomycin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Doxycycline
  • Rifampin
  • Streptomycin