A case of brucellar spondylodiscitis involving the cervical spine

J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2009;22(2):121-3. doi: 10.3233/BMR-2009-0216.

Abstract

We have presented a patient of 71-year-age with brucellar spondylodiscitis, involving the cervical spine, especially the C3-C4 segment. The patient had painful percussion of the cervical spine and passive mobilization of the neck, decreased range of motion, and cervical paravertebral tenderness; but no abnormalities observed on neurological examination. Wright agglutination test for brucella was positive at 1/320. Cervical localization for brucellar spondylodiscitis is an unusual case and should be detected and treated as early as possible. In endemic regions, spinal involvement of brucellosis should be considered in cases with fever, neck and low back pain.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brucellosis / diagnosis*
  • Brucellosis / drug therapy
  • Cervical Vertebrae / microbiology*
  • Discitis / microbiology*
  • Discitis / rehabilitation
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Exercise Therapy
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Rifampin / therapeutic use
  • Spironolactone
  • Sulfonamides

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • Sulfonamides
  • Spironolactone
  • spironolactone, althiazide drug combination
  • Doxycycline
  • Rifampin