Spinal Infections
A 45-year-old male sheep farmer from rural Western Australia presents with a 3-month history of progressive lower back pain, night sweats, and low-grade fevers. He reports recent lambing season exposure. Examination reveals tenderness over the lumbar spine with restricted range of motion. Blood tests show WCC 9.2, ESR 45, CRP 32. Plain radiographs of the lumbar spine appear normal. Regarding spinal brucellosis:
Mark each as TRUE or FALSE
The "Pedro Pons sign" describes selective destruction of the anterosuperior corner of the vertebral ...
Blood cultures are positive in approximately 70-80% of cases of acute brucellosis but sensitivity de...
Brucella melitensis (goat/sheep exposure) is the most virulent species and the most common cause of ...
MRI typically shows increased T2 signal in the disc and adjacent vertebral bodies with minimal paras...
The standard agglutination test (SAT) is considered positive at titers greater than 1:80 in endemic ...
Answer the questions to see explanations
Click T (True) or F (False) for each option