TB Research

735 An Unusual Case of Cervical Potts Disease in A Pediatric Patient

Bharatkumar Balkrishna Pandya, Andrea Nath Shogan

British journal of surgery · 2021-09

Abstract

Abstract Pott’s disease is a form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) affecting the spine. Approximately 10% of individuals with extrapulmonary TB will have skeletal manifestations with the most common area affected being the spine, followed by the hip and knee. Within the spine, Pott’s disease has a predilection for affecting the thoraco-lumbar region, with the cervical spine being the least affected. Here, we report a case of cervical Pott’s disease in a 16-year-old child, with no risk factors for TB, presenting with neck pain and stiffness. Initial blood results were unremarkable, but a CT scan showed a C5 vertebral body fracture and mild canal stenosis. A sagittal MRI scan demonstrated canal stenosis and a pathologic compression fracture of the C5 vertebrae, a soft tissue mass extending into the epidural and prevertebral spaces and associated cervical cord compression. A trans-oral biopsy confirmed TB and a diagnosis of Pott’s disease. She underwent HALO placement and needed further fusion surgery. She was started on anti-tuberculous therapy and made a good recovery post-operatively.

MeSH terms

  • Medicine
  • Cervical canal
  • Stenosis
  • Spinal canal stenosis
  • Surgery
  • Radiology
  • Tuberculosis
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Neck pain
  • Lumbar
  • Spinal canal