Imaging of vertebral brucellosis

Abstract

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease, with sheep, goat, camel, livestock animals, etc., as the primary hosts and human beings as the secondary host. It is a member of the specie brucella with melitensis, abortus, suis, and canis subgroups being a Gram-negative short rodlike bacteria which are intracellular. This infection is endemic in some parts of the world, in particular in the Mediterranean basin. Involvement of the nervous system by the organism is seen in about 5–10 % of cases which may involve the central nervous system or may involve the spinal system, the latter being the subject of this chapter. The diagnosis is done by clinical and laboratory findings such as blood agglutinin levels, isolation of the species from blood flow, or other specimens. Along with the laboratory findings, plain X-rays, CT, MRI, and radionuclide studies are of importance. The treatment options are antibiotics as the first step in case of lack of neurologic deterioration. If neurologic deterioration occurs, surgical procedures can be carried by an anterior, posterior, or combined approach. Brucellosis is an infection which causes socioeconomic problems, so its diagnoses and treatment should be done carefully. Recent investigations and developments in medications and invasive techniques provide the chance to treat it thoroughly.