Effects Of Abscess On Therapy Of The Brucellar Spondylitis

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and demographic,clinical, laboratory, and radiological features of brucellar spondylodiscitis and to comparepatients with and without abscesses regarding treatment and outcome.Methods: Out of146consecutive patients with brucellosis,35patients withspondylodiscitis were recruited for the study. Patients were grouped according to magneticresonance imaging findings.Results: The frequency of spondylodiscitis was23.9%. Sites of involvement werecervical (8.6%), thoracic (22.9%), lumbar (60%), and sacral (22.9%). Abscesses occurredin16(47.5%) patients and were associated with low hemoglobin levels. Medical treatmentincluded a combination of streptomycin (for the first3weeks), doxycycline, and rifampin.The total duration of treatment was20days-49weeks (mean6±7.45SD) weeks. By12weeks of treatment, evidence of clinical improvement (64.7vs.30%) and radiologicalregression (88.2vs.50%) was significantly greater in patients without abscesses.8patientswere taken surgery treatment.6with abess and2without it.Conclusions: If abscesses are found, a longer course of treatment and even surgicalintervention may be needed.