Tuberculous Spondylodiscitis or Pott's Disease: Diagnostic Problem of Patients Referred to the Reference Health Center (CSRef) Commune III of Bamako for Anti-Tuberculosis Treatment

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that can affect different organs. The spinal disorder is called tuberculous spondylodiscitis (Pott's disease). The objective: Was to elucidate the aspects taken into account by caregivers in the diagnosis of tuberculosis spondylodiscitis in patients referred to the reference health center of commune III of Bamako for anti-tuberculosis treatment. Methodology: This was a descriptive, retrospective study covering all patients referred to CSRef CIII from different health structures with the diagnosis of Pott's disease for treatment during the study period. Results: During the study period, we collected 156 patients. The male sex represented 54% with a sex ratio of 1.18. The average age was 39.3 years with extremes of 12 and 92 years. All patients presented with spinal pain, fever was present in 11.11% of patients and 2.7% had respiratory symptoms. Tuberculin IDR was positive in 95.8% and 2 patients were AFB sputum positive. X-ray (of the lumbar spine) was negative in 18%; there were images of degenerative lesions in 41.6% and only 40.2% of patients had presumptive radiological signs. CT was carried out in all patients revealing 33.33% of sequelae of fractures and degenerative lesions and 55.55% of presumptive signs of tuberculous spondylodiscitis. Only 41.66 of the cases were referred by specialist doctors. Conclusion: In our context, the diagnosis of Pott's disease seems to be based mainly on chronic spinal pain and positive IDR and is not often made by appropriate personnel.