title: Brucellar spondylodiscitis: case report.
abstract: Brucellosis is a common zoonosis which still remains a major health problem in certain parts of the world. Osteoarticular involvement is the most frequent complication of brucellosis, in which the diagnosis of brucellar spondylodiscitis is often difficult since the clinical presentation may be obscured by many other conditions. Herein, we report an uncommon case of spondylodiscitis due to Brucella in a male who presented with abdominal pain. The diagnosis was established by positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT scan) and magnetic resonance followed by a confirmation on Brucella-agglutination test and positive culture of computed tomography (CT) guided punction fluid. This case report illustrates an atypical presentation of spondylitis and points out the difficulties in diagnosing the aetiological agens Brucella and differentiating its specific features from tuberculosis.
authors.affiliation: Departement reumatologie, Universitair Ziekenhuis Gent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Gent, België. debruyne-cobbaert@telenet.be
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cobbaert
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pieters
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Devinck
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Devos
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Goethals
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mielants
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D001510:Bed Rest; D017347:Brucella melitensis / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015299:Discitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D012293:Rifampin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors; D004318:Doxycycline; D012293:Rifampin