A Case of Upper Thoracic Spinal Tuberculosis(T2-8) with T5,6 Compression Fracture in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patient.

Kim, Chong Kyung; Song, Ha Do; Cho, Dong Il; Yoo, Nam Soo

doi:2007.63.4.372

Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 63(4); 2007 > Article

Case Report

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2007;63(4):372-377.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2007.63.4.372 Published online October 1, 2007.

A Case of Upper Thoracic Spinal Tuberculosis(T2-8) with T5,6 Compression Fracture in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patient.

Chong Kyung Kim, Ha Do Song, Dong Il Cho, Nam Soo Yoo

Department of Chest Medicine, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. ps24k@freechal.com

Abstract

Tuberculous spondylitis is the most common manifestation of musculoskeletal tuberculosis (TB). The progression of the disease is usually slow and insidious. The main symptom, back pain, is not specific, which frequently results in a delayed diagnosis resulting in neurologic deficits and more advanced vertebral destruction. It is more difficult to diagnose the disease if the involved area is an uncommon sites, such as the upper thoracic, cervical or sacral region. It is important to make an early diagnosis and treatment to achieve a better treatment outcome. We reported a 29 year old female with upper thoracic TB spondylitis(T2-8) and pulmonary TB complaining of back pain that persisted for 5 months and fever. TB spondylitis was not suspected to be due to upper thoracic involvement despite her pulmonary tuberculosis. Chest CT for the evaluation of pulmonary TB found T5 destruction and the paravertebral abscess that was consistent with TB spondylitis. Her spine was examined by MRI, which made an early diagnosis before the neurologic deficit had developed. She was treated with surgical intervention due to the spinal instability and anti-TB medication for 1 year with excellent results.

Key Words: MRI, Upper thoracic TB spondylitis, Pulmonary tuberculosis