A Case of Pott’s Disease: Cold Abscess in a Haitian Woman Presenting with Chronic Back Pain

Abstract

Background: Tuberculous spondylitis is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacteria usually attacks the lungs but can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Spine being the most frequently affected site, Spinal TB patients typically present with back pain but other constitutional or pulmonary symptoms may be absent, rendering the diagnosis difficult. Mycobacterium tuberculosis can remain dormant for decades after the initial infection and doesn’t always cause infections. Case: We report a case of a 23-year-old Haitian woman who presented with increased swelling in right lower flank and vague lower back pain for two years before being diagnosed with tuberculous spondylitis. Conclusion: Physicians in the USA often miss opportunities to identify patients with tuberculous spondylitis considering its endemic in various countries around the world. Symptoms may be vague and screening tests have limitations. We review current strategies for diagnosis, and treatment of tuberculous spondylitis in immigrant patients who have lived in endemic areas and discuss the clinical features and management the infection.