Abstract: Objective To describe the MR imaging findings of brucellar spondylitis and to review the relative literatures,so as to improve the radiologists’recognization of this disease in non-epidemic area and guide clinicians to give correct diagnosis and treatment in time. Methods MR imaging findings of 5 patients with clinical-proven brucellar spondylitis were retrospectively analyzed and literatures were reviewed to understand the different diagnosis of brucellar spondylitis from spinal tuberculosis and Modic 1 type changes of vertebral endplate. Results Lumber spine was involved among all the 5 patients,with unifocal osteomyelitis in one patient and multi-focal osteomyelitis in the remaining 4 patients. The vertebral architecture kept intact in all the patients. Paraspinal soft tissue involvement was noted in 2 patients,which manifested as multiple small abscesses and soft tissue edema. Combining with clinical files,these MRI manifestations were characteristiced by facilitate the differentiation diagnosis from spinal tuberculosis and Modic 1 type changes of vertebral endplate. Conclusions There are some MR imaging characteristics of brucellar spondylitis,such as diffuse vertebral osteomyelitis with intact vertebral architecture and minimal paraspinal soft tissue involvement. Combining with clinical files, a suggestive diagnosis of brucellar spondylitis can be made by these MR imaging characteristics．

Key words: Brucellar spondylitis, MRI