Spinal brucellosis with large circumscribed paraspinal and epidural abscess formation: a case report

Abstract

Human Brucellosis is a bacterial infection caused by species of Brucella, which can involve multiple organs and tissues. Spinal epidural abscesses are rare and may be complicated by potentially life threatening neurological or vascular compromise. We report a 21-year-old female with spinal brucellosis complicated by lumbar spondylodiscitis, epidural abscess and a large right-sided paraspinal abscess extended from L4 to sacrum. The diagnosis was based on laboratory and magnetic resonance imaging results, symptoms and her occupation. Ultrasound guided needle aspiration and percutaneous abscess drainage was performed, followed by 8 weeks of combination antibiotic therapy. Our therapeutic strategy in this rare case can cause us to reach a greater clearance rate of the infection.

Keywords:

• Spinal epidural abscess
• spinal brucellosis
• percutaneous drainage
• serum agglutination test
• large paraspinal abscess
• antibiotic therapy

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank Ms. Hosseini & Mrs. Nejabat from the Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center for their help.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).