Cervical spinal brucellosis causing epidural and prevertebral abscesses and spinal cord compression: a case report

Abstract

Background context Cervical involvement due to spinal brucellosis is quite rare. Although surgery usually is not necessary in spinal brucellosis, most of the patients with cervical involvement require surgical treatment because of the high rate of neurological involvement and spinal cord compression. Purpose To present a unique case with cervical spinal brucellosis with epidural and paravertebral abscesses and to discuss the treatment alternatives of this disease. Study design A case report. Methods A 61-year-old patient with spinal cord compression syndrome due to cervical spinal brucellosis was reported. He was treated by triplet antibiotherapy for 24 weeks. On magnetic resonance imaging, spinal cord compression caused by epidural abscess and granulation tissue, and prevertebral abscess were seen. Results At the end of the treatment, there were no complaints, neurological findings, or positive infection markers. There was not epidural compression on control magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusions Surgery may not be required in all cervical spinal brucellosis cases with epidural compression and neurological involvement. Conservative treatment with close observation may be sufficient in these patients who are usually older people.