Lumbar epidural brucellar abscess causing nerve root compression.
OBJECTIVE
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 symptoms mimicking lumbar disc herniation. The study group consisted of three women and three men who were 15-67 (mean = 37) years old. Patients were imaged in the axial and sagittal planes with a I.0-T MR scanner using a spine coil.


RESULTS
The level of abscesses were accurate in 100% (six of six) of patients with MR imaging. MRI examinations revealed an extradural soft tissue mass which were iso- to hypointense compared to spinal cord on T1WI and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. By contrast study, diffuse homogeneous or slightly heterogeneous enhancements were seen.


CONCLUSIONS
Lumbar extradural brucellar abscess can have lumbar disc disease symptoms. MRI may non-invasively and rapidly reveal the presence of spinal abscess and degree of extension to the spinal canal. Extradural brucellar abscess should be included in the differential diagnosis of radicular symptoms caused by disc herniation.
Ozates
M
M
Department of Radiology, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
Ozkan
U
U
Bükte
Y
Y
Ceviz
A
A
Sari
I
I
Simsek
M
M
D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004824:Epidural Space; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots