Management of spinal brucellosis and outcome of rehabilitation

Study Design: Review of cases. Objective: To review cases of brucellosis in order to clarify diagnostic gu idelines, treatment regimes and prognsis. Setting: University Hospital, Turkey. Methods: Study of 11 patients (9 male, 2 female) with either brucellar spon dylitis or epidural brucellar abscess. Diagnosis made on clinical presentat ion, laboratory findings, radiographic evidence and a minimum brucellar ant i body of 1:160, a positive bacteriological culture and/ or histological fi nding of inflammation of granulomatous tissue. All patients were treated wi th a combination of oral antibiotics. Surgery was performed in 8 patients. Results: At least 6 months antibiotic therapy using Rifampicin and Doxycycl ine is recommended. Surgery is indicated in the presence of spinal instabil ity, cord compression or radiculopathy. In our series eight patients requir ed surgery. Conclusion: The patients complaining of back pain, particularly in endemic areas should be University Hospital, Turkey. Study of II patients (9 male, 2 female) with either brucellar spondylitis or epidural investigated as pos sible cases of brucellosis.