Brucellar Spondylodiscitis in an Endemic Area: Retrospective Review of 18 Patients

Aim: Osteoarticuler involvement is one of the most common complications of brucellosis and incidence is 10-85%. The major clinical manifestation of brucellar osteoarticuler involvement is spondylodiscitis. Our aim was to evaluate the brucellar spondylodiscitis. Method: Spondylodiscitis cases among patients diagnosed with brucellosis at Isparta Government Hospital between January 2005 and August 2011 were included in the study. Clinical and laboratory findings were analyzed retrospectively Results: The total number of brucellar spondylodiscitis was 18 out of 126 patients (14%). Lumbar and lumbosacral involvement was the most common location of brucellar lesions. All patients had lumbar pain and abnormal MRI findings. The average length of antibiotic therapy was 17.1 weeks Conclusion: Spondylodiscitis is an important complication of brucellosis. Brucellar spondylodiscitis, the clinical and laboratory findings cannot be distinguished from classic Brucellosis. Spondylodiscitis, the 6-week treatment period with a recurrence is a major problem. It is usually seen more frequently in elderly patients. Therefore, the middle aged with low back pain in patients with brucellosis necessarily MRI imaging should be performed. The duration of treatment according to the patient's clinical and laboratory findings should be regulated as at least 12 weeks.