Spondylodiskitis associated with epidural abscess due to brucellosis

Abstract

Spondylodiskitis with epidural abscess due to brucellosis is very rare and serious complication, and it may result in neurological deficits. Here, we report a 29 year-old male patient with brucellosis causing spondylodiskitis and spinal epidural abscess resulting in neurological deficits such as paresis. Surgical therapy is the main approach in the treatment of the abscess. However, the patient did not accept the surgery. Therefore, initial drug combination therapy (doxycycline and rifampicin) was changed to another therapeutic protocol (streptomycin and doxycycline and rifampicin), and the treatment period was extended to three months. He was completely cured in aspect of the disorder and complications. In conclusion, brucellar spinal epidural abscesses are a rare complication of brucellosis. In contrast to the high morbidity and mortality rates reported in pyogenic or tuberculosis abscess, brucellosis with epidural abscess has a good prognosis with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.