Diagnosis and management of spinal tuberculosis combined with brucellosis: A case report and literature review.

Abstract

Tuberculosis combined with brucellosis is a very rare condition. Overlapping clinical presentation and laboratory parameters of tuberculosis and brucellosis may lead to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of the condition. The current study presents the case of a 45-year-old male with symptoms of lower back pain, non-tender swelling in the right flank, intermittent hyperpyrexia, sweating, body aches and numbness and weakness of right lower limb. A lumbar computed tomograph (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging indicated vertebral destruction and the formation of sequestra and thecal sac compression. Tuberculosis was suspected, but subsequent culture of blood and pus revealed the co-infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Brucella melitensis. The patient was treated with antibiotics, CT-guided percutaneous drainage of the abscess and posterior approach decompression, debridement, instrumentation and fusion. Co-existence of spinal tuberculosis and brucellosis is rare and clinicians should strengthen the awareness of such conditions in similar patients. CT-guided percutaneous drainage is effective in the diagnosis and management of spinal tuberculosis with abscess.