Clinical analysis of patients with brucellosis spondylitis / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with brucellosis spondylitis (BS),and to provide theoretical basis for its clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods The data of brucellosis patients treated in the Department of Brucellosis,Hulunbuir People's Hospital from January 2011 to December 2016 were analyzed retrospectively in this study.Results A total of 869 cases of brucellosis were investigated,including 73 cases of BS.The incidence of back pain was 90.4％ (66/73) and 20.4％ (162/796) in BS patients and those without spondylitis,the difference was statistically significant (x2 =169.587,P ＜ 0.05).Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the sites of involvement were lumbar (63),thoracic (6),cervical (4),thoracolumbar (3),paravertebral abscess (22),and epidural abscess (12).Multiple segments involvement of lumbar spine was most common.Three patients showed jumping damage to their spines,one of them showed simultaneous cervical and lumbar injuries,and two cases presented simultaneous thoracic and lumbar injuries.After combined application of at least two antimicrobial agents for 24 weeks,28 cases were cured,42 cases were improved and 3 cases were ineffective.The total effective rate was 95.9％ (70/73).Conclusions In brucellosis endemic areas such as Hulunbuir,BS should be considered in patients with back pain and fever.MRI is a highly sensitive imaging modality that can be used to differentiate BS from other spinal infections.