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

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.

Integrated Medicine Therapy for a Patient with Tuberculous Spondylitis: a Case Report

“…20세기 초반 50년 동안 결핵은 흔하고 치명적인 질병이 었으나, 항결핵제의 개발로 점차 발병률 및 이환율이 줄었 다 2) . 국내에서의 이환율은 폐결핵의 경우 전체 결핵환자의 약 11~17%로 점차 빈도가 감소하고 있으나, 결핵성 척추염 의 빈도는 감소하지 않아 전체 결핵에서 차지하는 비율이 상대적으로 증가하고 있다 1) .…”