Lumbar epidural brucellar abscess causing nerve root compression

Citation
M. Ozates et al., Lumbar epidural brucellar abscess causing nerve root compression, SPINAL CORD, 37(6), 1999, pp. 448-449
Citations number
5
Categorie Soggetti
Neurology
Journal title
SPINAL CORD
ISSN journal
13624393 → ACNP
Volume
37
Issue
6
Year of publication
1999
Pages
448 - 449
Database
ISI
SICI code
1362-4393(199906)37:6<448:LEBACN>2.0.ZU;2-I
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of MR sequences for the differential diagnosis of spinal brucellar abscesses which mimic lumbar disc herniation . Methods: We analyzed six patients with brucellar abscesses. who had symptom s mimicking lumbar disc herniation. The study group consisted of three wome n. and three men who were 15 - 67 (mean = 37) years old. Patients were imag ed in the axial and sagittal planes with a I.0-T MR scanner using a spine c oil. Results: The level of abscesses were accurate in 100% (six of six)of patien ts with MR imaging. MRI examinations revealed an extradural soft tissue mas s which were iso- to hypointense compared to spinal cord on T1WI and hyperi ntense on T2-weighted images. By contrast study, diffuse homogeneous or sli ghtly heterogeneous enhancements were seen. Conclusion: Lumbar extradural brucellar abscess can have lumbar disc diseas e symptoms. MRI may non-invasively and rapidly reveal the presence of spina l abscess and degree of extension to the spinal canal. Extradural brucellar abscess should be included in the differential diagnosis of radicular symp toms caused by disc herniation.