Pott disease: when lumbar pain is not innocent

Adv Respir Med. 2020;88(6):608-611. doi: 10.5603/ARM.a2020.0154.

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a mycobacterial infection that can affect the lungs as well as other organs. The involvement of the spine, although rare, can have major consequences if not diagnosed and treated in a timely and effective manner, such as residual deformities and neurological deficits. On occasion, the atypical presentation of tuberculous spondylitis may cause a delay in treatment and therefore lead to less favorable outcomes. In this article, we present a rare case of progressed tuberculous infection involving the respiratory and musculoskeletal system in a 36-year-old patient whose main complaints were non-specific and mild, and started only two weeks before his diagnosis, despite the advanced disease.

Keywords: Pott disease; extrathoracic tuberculosis; lumbar pain; tuberculosis; tuberculous spondylitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Spondylitis / complications*
  • Spondylitis / diagnosis*
  • Spondylitis / diet therapy
  • Tuberculosis, Spinal / complications*
  • Tuberculosis, Spinal / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis, Spinal / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents