TITLE:
Atypical Presentation of Cervical Pott’s Disease: A Case Report
AUTHORS:
Emecheta G. Okwudire, Ugonna M. Ezenwugo, Johnpatrick U. Ugwoegbu, Chika A. Okoro, Ifeanyichukwu Isiozor
KEYWORDS:
Tuberculosis, Pott’s Disease, Spine, MRI, Hemiplegia
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Tuberculosis Research,
Vol.9 No.3,
September
23,
2021
ABSTRACT: Tuberculous spondylitis, also known as Pott’s
disease, is due to infection of the spine by mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) leading to vertebral body and inter-vertebral disc destruction. It is the most common form
of musculoskeletal tuberculosis most
frequently affecting the thoracolumbar spine and is commoner in young people. Onset of this condition is
insidious and its clinical presentation is non specific. However, Pott’s disease may be complicated
by neurologic deficits including paraplegia
or even quadriplegia, with huge health, economic and psychological burden. Following is a case report of Pott’s disease involving the
cervical spine in a 33-year old farmer presenting unusually with paraplegia
and a negative Mantoux test. It is reported because this very uncommon condition is highly
treatable, and there is
need for a raised index
of suspicion in order to diagnose this condition early, thus limiting its
complications. The role of MRI in diagnosis of Pott’s disease is also highlighted.