Fortuitous discovery of isolated tuberculosis of the tenth and eleventh costotransverse joints: A case report

Involvement of posterior elements of the spine in spinal tuberculosis is rare. We report a case of a 56-year-old woman who presented with asymptomatic tuberculosis of the tenth and eleventh costotransverse joints. The latter was discovered with a CT scan made to look for a pulmonary embolism. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed liquid in the costotransverse joints with a paravertebral abscess. The patient was managed conservatively. Although rare, posterior tuberculosis of the spine should be known by spine surgeons. MRI is the key to the diagnosis. Conservative treatment is the standard treatment, and surgery is reserved for patients with neurological deficit.