title: Noncontiguous dual segment thoracic brucellosis with neurological deficit.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Brucellosis can affect the musculoskeletal system, and bony involvement ranges from 2% to 70% in the literature. Spinal brucellosis is generally localized to the sacroiliac region; thoracic brucellosis is rarely seen.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present a case with noncontiguous multilevel thoracic brucellosis with spinal cord compression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient underwent aggressive surgical debridement (posterior decompression, fusion and stabilization, and two noncontiguous level anterior corpectomy and fusion procedures with titanium mesh cages).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the latest follow-up of 2 years, her clinical, radiological, and laboratory examination showed no recurrence of infection. The neurological examination was completely normal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early aggressive debridement and stabilization together with medical treatment, especially in the elderly and immunocompromised patients, would be the most beneficial treatment for eradication of pathology.
authors.affiliation: Istanbul Spine Center, Florence Nightingale Hospital, Abide-I Hürriyet Caddesi No: 290 80220, Sişli, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tezer
authors.forename: Cagatay
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aydogan
authors.forename: Koray
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Camurdan
authors.forename: Erden
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Erturer
authors.forename: Azmi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamzaoglu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology*; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents