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case_images: MRI and CT findings of the patient. (A-C) The MRI examination showed the destruction of vertebral at thoracic 4-7 (mainly 5-6) on October 11, 2022. (D-F) The CT examinations revealed the destruction of the vertebral bodies of thoracic 5-6 and cervical 6-7 at different times. (D-F) represent the CTs on October 11, October 21 and November 26, respectively. The destruction of the thoracic 5-6 was well improved when compared to the CT on admission. The red rectangles indicate the region of thoracic 5-6.
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case_images: C-reactive protein (CRP) level of 14.9 mg/L (normal reference range: <10.0 mg/L). Computed tomography (CT) revealed destruction of the thoracic 5-6 and cervical 6-7 vertebral bodies, an unclear intervertebral space, and a soft tissue mass surrounding the affected areas (Figure 1D). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed vertebral involvement at thoracic 4-7, predominantly at 5-6, with accompanying intervertebral space stenosis (Figure 1A-C), indicative of infectious spondylitis.  A follow-up CT scan of the thoracic vertebrae revealed no remarkable findings (Figure 1E). At the one-month follow-up after discharge, the patient reported the elimination of back pain, and both the hemogram and CT scan of the thoracic spine were normal, indicating the effectiveness of the initial treatment (Figure 1F).
case_images: Rose-Bengal plate test for brucellosis. (A) Negative for saline control; (B) Positive for agglutination of the patient's serum.
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case_images: As expected, the RBPT yielded a positive result (Figure 2).
case_images: Timeline of the patient's hospitalization and discharge.
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case_images: He recovered well and was discharged from the hospital on October 26, 2022, with prescriptions for doxycycline (0.1g bid) and rifampicin (0.45g qd) (Figure 3).