Neurologia medico-chirurgica
Online ISSN : 1349-8029
Print ISSN : 0470-8105
ISSN-L : 0470-8105
Case Reports
Spinal Epidural Abscess Caused by Brucellosis
—Two Case Reports—
Özkan ATESSuleyman R. ÇAYLIAyhan KOÇAKRamazan KUTLURezzan E. ÖNALAyhan TEKINER
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JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

2005 Volume 45 Issue 1 Pages 66-70

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Abstract

Brucellosis is still an important public health problem in the Mediterranean countries, including Turkey, and is most probably underdiagnosed or underreported. Two rare cases of extradural brucellar granuloma causing spinal cord compression in the thoracic and cervical regions were identified by magnetic resonance imaging. The abscesses were totally excised surgically. Medical treatment was given immediately after diagnosis, but delayed neurosurgical intervention resulted in partial neurological recovery in one patient although the other showed complete neurological recovery. Abscess formation may cause myelopathy due to extradural compression of the spinal cord. Failure to correct this condition may cause irreversible impairment of motor functions. Magnetic resonance imaging should be performed periodically in patients with brucellosis and suspected vertebral involvement to monitor for epidural granuloma formation and prevent extradural cord compression.

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© 2005 by The Japan Neurosurgical Society

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons [Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International] license.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
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