Abstract
Pott’s disease usually affects two contiguous vertebrae or two spinal levels. The involvement of the three cervicothoracic and lumbar levels is rarely described. Only three cases have been described in the literature to our knowledge. The authors report three new cases of tuberculous spondylodiscitis of cervicothoracic and lumbar site. Our three cases were characterized by symptoms similar to the other topographical forms of Pott’s disease. A predisposing factor is often identified like the infection with human immunodeficiency virus. The definitive diagnosis was made in two cases by identifying acid and alcohol-fast bacilli for one case and by histology for the other case. For the third case, there was a diagnostic presumption reinforced by the satisfactory outcome on tuberculosis chemotherapy for a period of 12 months. The multilevel nature of diseases does not influence the effectiveness of treatment of this form of spinal tuberculosis.
Highlights
The spinal tuberculosis represents 50% of bone and joint tuberculosis (BJT), itself accounting for 2% to 5% of all tuberculosis cases [1] [2]
We report three exceptional cases of multifocal and multilevel cervicothoracic and lumbar tuberculous spondylodiscitis observed in the Rheumatology Department of the University Hospital Center of Cocody in Abidjan with emphasis on clinical, diagnosis and therapeutic characteristics
A probable multilevel cervicothoracic and lumbar spine tuberculosis was retained as diagnosis
Summary
The spinal tuberculosis represents 50% of bone and joint tuberculosis (BJT), itself accounting for 2% to 5% of all tuberculosis cases [1] [2]. Pott’s disease is rife in sub-Saharan Africa contrary to developed country and can affect all ages. It commonly affects the thoracic and/or lumbar spine [3] and usually involves at most two contiguous vertebrae or two spinal levels. The advent of the infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has contributed to the emergence of unusual forms of BJT with the simultaneous involvement of the three cervicothoracic and lumbar spinal levels. Physical examination revealed a cervicothoracic and lumbar spinal syndrome: mild limitation of neck movements, pain on palpation spreading to the thoracic spine, multidirectional lumbar spinal stiffness and positive sign of Lasegue at 30 ̊ on the left. The outcome was satisfactory in this treatment and healing was obtained 12 months after
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Open Journal of Rheumatology and Autoimmune Diseases
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
