Brucella spondylodiscitis - lumbar

Case contributed by Ammar Haouimi
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Low back pain with hypoesthesia of the lower limbs.

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Male

Bilateral L5 pars interarticularis defects in keeping spondylolysis with anterior displacement of the L5 vertebral body on the S1 in keeping with spondylolisthesis grade I according to the Meyerding classification system for grading degree of spondylolisthesis.  

Narrowing of the L5-S1 disc space with a low signal on T1, high signal on T2 and STIR with enhancement of the vertebral end-plates (bone marrow edema). Thickening with enhancement of the anterior epidural and prevertebral spaces mainly with small abscesses formation.

Case Discussion

MRI features most consistent with L5-S1 spondylodiscitis in a patient with spondylolisthesis.

The laboratory investigations were positive for Brucellosis

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