Pott's disease with extensive bilateral psoas abscesses in a Nigerian woman: an unusual case

Malawi Med J. 2020 Sep;32(3):168-172. doi: 10.4314/mmj.v32i3.10.

Abstract

Bilateral psoas abscesses are uncommon in Pott's disease. We describe a 28-year-old Nigerian woman with a 2-year history of constitutional symptoms and a 1-year history of bilateral paravertebral masses. She had received anti-tuberculosis (TB) treatment in an interrupted manner. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed T10-T12 spondylitis, wedge collapse and extensive bilateral psoas abscesses. Histology of the abscess wall was definitively diagnosed as soft tissue TB, and special staining for acid-fast bacilli was positive. She was successfully treated with anti-TB therapy and ultrasound-guided surgical drainage of 6 L of abscess fluid. Complicated cases of Pott's disease may require multi-disciplinary interventions for optimal outcome.

Keywords: Pott's disease; psoas abscess; tuberculosis; ultrasound-guided surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drainage
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / isolation & purification*
  • Psoas Abscess / diagnosis
  • Psoas Abscess / etiology*
  • Psoas Abscess / surgery
  • Spine / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tuberculosis, Spinal / complications*
  • Tuberculosis, Spinal / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents