title: Management of spinal brucellosis and outcome of rehabilitation.
abstract: METHODS
  Review of cases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review cases of brucellosis in order to clarify diagnostic guidelines, treatment regimes and prognosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  University Hospital, Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study of 11 patients (9 male, 2 female) with either brucellar spondylitis or epidural brucellar abscess. Diagnosis made on clinical presentation, laboratory findings, radiographic evidence and a minimum brucellar anti body of 1 : 160, a positive bacteriological culture and/or histological finding of inflammation of granulomatous tissue. All patients were treated with a combination of oral antibiotics. Surgery was performed in 8 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At least 6 months antibiotic therapy using Rifampicin and Doxycycline is recommended. Surgery is indicated in the presence of spinal instability, cord compression or radiculopathy. In our series eight patients required surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The patients complaining of back pain, particularly in endemic areas should be investigated as possible cases of brucellosis.
authors: Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Nas
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Gür
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Kemaloğlu
authors: M F
authors: MF
authors: Geyik
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Cevik
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Büke
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Ceviz
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Saraç
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Aksu
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric