Spinal Tuberculosis Research Articles

Pediatric and adult meningeal, parenchymal, and spinal tuberculosis: A neuroimaging review.

Neurotuberculosis is defined as a tuberculous infection of the meninges, brain parenchyma, vessels, cranial and spinal nerves, spinal cord, skull, and spine that can occur either in a localized or in a diffuse form. It is a heterogeneous disease characterized by many imaging appearances and it has been defined as "the great mimicker" due to similarities with many other conditions. The diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS)tuberculosis (TB) is based on clinical presentation, neuroimaging findings, laboratory and microbiological findings, and comprehensive evaluation of the response to anti-TB drug treatment. However, the absence of specific symptoms, the wide spectrum of neurological manifestations, the myriad of imaging findings, possible inconclusive laboratory results, and the paradoxical reaction to treatment make the diagnosis often challenging and difficult, potentially delaying adequate treatment with possible devastating short-term and long-term neurologic sequelae. Familiarity with the imaging characteristics helps in accurate diagnosis and may prevent or limit significantly morbidity and mortality. The goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive up-to-date overview of the conventional and advanced imaging features of CNS TB for radiologists, neuroradiologists, and pediatric radiologists. We discuss the most typical neurotuberculosis imaging findings and their differential diagnosis in children and adults with the goal to provide a global overview of this entity.

Higher Sensitivity of Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra Over Tuberculosis Culture for the Diagnosis of Spinal Tuberculosis With Open or Computed Tomography-Guided Biopsies.

Diagnostic specimens for spinal tuberculosis (STB) are mostly collected via open surgery. Percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsies are used in times of limited surgical availability. However, poor diagnostic accuracy of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) culture has been reported with this method, due to limited sample volume and the paucibacillary nature of STB. We evaluated Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra on open and CT-guided biopsies as compared with the gold standard Mtb culture and histopathology. We conducted a prospective diagnostic accuracy study of Xpert Ultra, as compared with tuberculosis culture and histopathology, in adults with signs and symptoms of STB at a tertiary academic hospital in South Africa from November 2020 to December 2021. Diagnostic testing was performed on 31 patients with available samples. Xpert Ultra had a sensitivity of 94.7% (95% CI, 75.3%-99.7%) and specificity of 100% (95% CI, 75.7%-100.0%) against a reference standard of Mtb culture and histopathology. Xpert Ultra had high diagnostic accuracy in open and CT-guided biopsy samples with sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 100% (open) and 89% and 100% (CT), respectively. Mtb culture had limited specificity for CT-guided biopsies (43%; 95% CI, 15.8%-74.9%). HIV-1 coinfection did not affect Mtb abundance measures by Xpert Ultra or culture. Xpert Ultra was also superior to culture for STB diagnosis in patients concurrently treated for pulmonary tuberculosis. Xpert Ultra detected more STB cases than culture for CT-guided biopsy samples. There was also no difference in sensitivity for open biopsies, irrespective of HIV-1 status, making it an important tool for rapid diagnosis, especially during times or in locations where open surgery is not possible or concurrent pulmonary tuberculosis treatment is initiated.

Risk Factors Influencing the Degree of Tuberculous Spondylitis Based on MRI Modality

The high prevalence and mortality of tuberculosis (TB) is serious threats to the world. Tuberculous spondylitis accounts for 50% of all bone and joint TB cases. The accuracy of diagnosis to detect disease severity using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) modalities is important when considering potential risk factors. This study aimed to analyze the association of risk factors, including age, sex, spinal lesion location, and abscess location, with the severity of tuberculous spondylitis based on MRI modality using the Gulhane Askari Tip Akademisi (GATA) classification. This study had a cross-sectional design. The study sample consisted of 50 patients who met the inclusion criteria and underwent MRI. The statistical analysis performed in this study was multivariate analysis using multiple linear regression. The results showed that 84% (n = 42) of tuberculous spondylitis affected patients aged 18-65 years, and 70% (n = 35) of cases were found in female patients. In addition, 42% (n = 21) of cases were classified as tuberculous spondylitis grade III according to the GATA classification and were the most common cases in this study. Statistical tests showed no association between age, the location of spinal lesions, and the degree of tuberculous spondylitis. However, there was an association between sex, spinal abscess location, and degree of tuberculous spondylitis. There was no significant association between age and spinal lesion location or degree of tuberculous spondylitis. However, there was a significant association between sex, spinal abscess location, and the degree of tuberculous spondylitis.

A Peculiar Manifestation of Urinary Tract Infection in a 76-year-old Female

Purple Urine Bag Syndrome (PUBS) is a rare and benign clinical phenomenon associated with urinary tract infections, characterized by the distinctive purple discoloration of a urinary catheter bag. The underlying cause of PUBS is related to bacterial activity involved in the breakdown of tryptophan, mainly in individuals with predisposing factors such as long-term catheterization, constipation, alkaline urine, and being female. We present the case of a 76-year-old female patient with a history of tuberculous spondylitis who developed PUBS during her hospital stay. The patient had been bedridden for three years and had been given a urinary catheter, which was routinely replaced by a non-medical family member and without a proper antiseptic procedure. A urine culture revealed the presence of Proteus mirabilis, and the patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics while also replacing the urinary catheter and bag. After five days of treatment, the urine bag and catheter remained clear, and the patient was discharged. PUBS is a significant indicator of urinary tract infection, necessitating prompt medical intervention to prevent complications. Healthcare professionals should be aware of this syndrome to enable early detection and appropriate management.

Features of radiological manifestations in the diagnosis of nontuberculous mycobacteriosis. Literature review Сlinical observation

Purpose of the study. The purpose of this literature review is to determine the radiographic features in the diagnosis of non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis (NTMB) and to assess the possibility of radiological diagnosis of a combination of tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis of the lungs in a patient with HIV infection.Materials and methods. A review of the literature on the bases of scientific articles PubMed, ELibrary and Google Scholar. Attention was focused on full-text articles. The article presents a clinical observation of a patient being treated at the Clinical TB Dispensary in Omsk from 2019 to 2022 with a diagnosis of disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis, bilateral, in the infiltration phase, tuberculous spondylitis ThVII–IX, complicated by a paravertebral abscess.Results. The radiological changes characteristic of NTMB are: lesion of the right middle and lingual lobes of the lungs with the presence of diffuse bronchiectasis, changes in the type of “tree in the kidneys”, compaction of lung tissue by the type of “frosted glass” with the presence of centrilobular nodules, asymmetric small dense foci with peribronchial location, apical location of thin-walled cavities with thickening of the costal pleura, as well as foci of inflammatory infiltration. The absence of specific symptoms for this pathology requires further research in this area. The identification of characteristic radiological features will speed up the diagnosis of infection and determine the correct management tactics for patients.Conclusion. The radiosemiotics of NTMB is characterized by a large variability of manifestations. The most informative method of radiation diagnosis of NTMB is multispiral computed tomography (MSCT). Thanks to MSCT, a radiologist has the opportunity to accurately assess the localization and nature of foci, as well as assess the dynamics and prevalence of the process. The most characteristic radiological symptoms are the defeat of the right middle and lingual lobes of the lungs with the presence of diffuse bronchiectasis, changes in the type of “tree in the kidneys”, compaction of lung tissue by the type of “frosted glass” and the presence of centrilobular nodules, asymmetric small dense foci with peribronchial arrangement, apical arrangement of thin-walled cavities with thickening of the costal pleura, as well as foci inflammatory infiltration. The absence of specific symptoms for this pathology requires further research in this area. The identification of characteristic radiological features will speed up the diagnosis of infection and determine the correct management tactics for patients.

Tuberculous spondylitis a common cause of paraparesia in young Mexicans, associated with other forms of TB and MRI as a diagnostic tool

Tuberculous spondylitis a common cause of paraparesia in young Mexicans, associated with other forms of TB and MRI as a diagnostic tool

Comparative evaluation of multi-fold rib and structural iliac bone grafts in single-segment thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis: clinical and radiological outcomes

ObjectiveTo compare clinical and radiological outcomes of multi-fold rib and structural iliac bone grafts, the primary autologous graft techniques in anterolateral-only surgery for single-segment thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis.MethodsThis retrospective study included 99 patients treated from January 2014 to March 2022, categorized into 64 with multi-fold rib grafts (group A) and 35 with structural iliac bone grafts (group B). Outcomes assessed included hospital stay, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, complications, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), bone fusion time, and the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale grade. Segmental kyphotic angle and intervertebral height were measured radiologically before surgery and follow-up.ResultsThe mean follow-up was 63.50 ± 26.05 months for group A and 64.97 ± 26.43 months for group B (P > 0.05). All patients had achieved a clinical cure. Group A had a shorter operation time (P = 0.004). Within one week post-surgery, group B reported higher VAS scores (P < 0.0001). Neurological performance and quality of life significantly improved in both groups. No significant differences were observed in segmental kyphotic angle and intervertebral height between the groups pre- and postoperatively (P > 0.05). However, group A showed a greater segmental kyphotic angle at the final follow-up, while group B had better maintenance of kyphotic angle correction and intervertebral height (P < 0.05). Bone fusion was achieved in all patients without differences in fusion time (P > 0.05).ConclusionsMulti-fold rib grafts resulted in shorter operation times and less postoperative pain, while structural iliac bone grafts provided better long-term maintenance of spinal alignment and stability, suggesting their use in cases where long-term outcomes are critical.

Tubercolosi vertebrale atipica: un caso clinico e revisione della letteratura

Background - Rates of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) are higher in paediatric patients, especially in those from endemic areas. Bone TB is mostly located in the spine and in children may cause rapid bone destruction with severe deformity and neurological deficits. Case report - The paper reports the case of a 14-year-old male patient from Pakistan presenting with neurological symptoms and neuroradiological features suspicious for malignant tumour. After surgical removal of the mass, PCR test showed spinal TB. Tuberculin skin test (TST) and Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRA) resulted negative. Discussion - False negative IGRA and TST test results can occur due to several factors, including immunodeficiency disorders. Some cases of spinal TB do not have typical radiological features, causing diagnostic delays or mistakes. Non-typical spinal TB features include: (1) involvement of the posterior elements of the spinal column; (2) skip lesions; (3) non-osseous TB involving spinal cord, cauda equina, and/or meninges. Conclusion - The differential diagnosis between spinal TB and malignancy might be challenging. Consequently, considering TB in children with neurological symptoms and/or vertebral neoformation, especially in patients coming from endemic areas, is recommended. TB diagnosis should not be excluded in case of non-typical radiological features, negative TST and IGRA or history of anti-TB vaccination. This approach should facilitate a timely diagnosis for appropriate treatment, avoiding neurological sequalae and delayed deformities.

Tumors and infections of the growing spine.

The growing spine differs from the adult spine in several ways. Although tumors and infections cause only a small percentage of pediatric back pain incidences, delayed proper diagnosis and treatment may be disastrous. Benign lesions, such as osteoid osteoma, osteoblastoma, and aneurysmal bone cyst in the spine, are predominant during the first two decades of life, whereas malignant bony spinal tumors are rare. In the pediatric population, malignant spine tumors include osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, lymphoma, and metastatic neuroblastoma. Infections of the growing spine are rare, with the incidence of discitis peaking in patients under the age of 5 years and that of vertebral osteomyelitis peaking in older children. Spondylodiscitis is often a benign, self-limiting condition with low potential for bone destruction. Conservative treatments, including bedrest, immobilization, and antibiotics, are usually sufficient. Spinal tuberculosis is a frequently observed form of skeletal tuberculosis, especially in developing countries. Indications for surgical treatment include neurologic deficit, spinal instability, progressive kyphosis, late-onset paraplegia, and advanced disease unresponsive to nonoperative treatment. Spinal tumors and infections should be considered potential diagnoses in cases with spinal pain unrelated to the child's activity, accompanied by fever, malaise, and weight loss. In spinal tumors, early diagnosis, fast and adequate multidisciplinary management, appropriate en bloc resection, and reconstruction improve local control, survival, and quality of life. Pyogenic, hematogenous spondylodiscitis is the most common spinal infection; however, tuberculosis-induced spondylodiscitis should also be considered. Level of evidence: level 4.

Clinical profile of paediatric spinal cord damage in a developing country’s rural-area tertiary hospital neurosurgery

BackgroundSpinal cord damage (SCD) is rare in children, hence the paucity of literature on the subject, particularly in developing countries. This study aims to define the clinical epidemiology of paediatric SCD in a Nigerian tertiary health facility.MethodsA retrospective review of a 42-month long prospectively collected clinical data on paediatric SCD in a rural neurosurgery unit.ResultsThere were 37 children (20 males) accounting for about 12% of the paediatric neurosurgical patients we managed during the study period. The mean age was 6.9 years (peak = 0–4 years, 43.2%). Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) was the cause of SCD in 54.1% (20/37) of the cases, spinal bifida in 37.8%, spinal cord tumour in 5.4%, and spinal tuberculosis in 2.7%. The mean age of patients with traumatic SCI was 11.5 years, while the median age for spinal bifida was 3 days. Traumatic SCI was caused by road traffic accident in 70% (14/20), and falls in 25%. The cervical spinal cord was the location of the spinal cord damage in 51.4% of all the cases in this study, lumbosacral in 24.3%, and sacral in 10.8%. Traumatic SCI was predominantly located in the cervical region in (90%, 18/20) while spinal bifida was most commonly lumbosacral (64.3%, 9/14).ConclusionSpinal cord damage accounted for more than a tenth (12.1%) of our paediatric neurosurgical workload in this rural neurosurgery, and are mostly due to traumatic SCI and spinal bifida.

Differences in brain volume and thickness in patients with pulmonary or spine tuberculosis (TB) compared to non-TB individuals: A cross-sectional retrospective study

IntroductionThere is evidence showing that central nervous system TB (CNS-TB) causes meningitis, pachymeningitis, tuberculomas, and granulomas. However, the impact of pulmonary or spine TB on brain morphology and thickness is yet to be documented. TB is associated with increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers in specific brain regions. ObjectivesThe primary aim of this study was to compare cortical-brain volume and thickness between patients with pulmonary or spine TB and non-TB individuals and investigate the association between inflammatory biomarkers and brain volume or thickness among patients with pulmonary or spine TB. MethodsParticipants ranging in age from 18 to 65 years (23 TB patients and 50 healthy controls), who were scanned using 1.5-T MRI at Jazan Hospital, were compared in terms of brain volumes and thicknesses. Brain volume and thickness were measured using FreeSurfer. ResultsThere were significant differences in the volumes of the bilateral and total amygdala and accumbens areas, right hippocampus and cerebellum, and CSF, and in the thickness of the right pericalcarine area between patients with pulmonary or spine TB and healthy controls. We also found significant associations between inflammatory biomarkers (CRP, WBC, and platelets) and brain volume but not thickness in patients with TB, p < .05. ConclusionsThis study is the first to show that pulmonary or spine TB reduces brain size and thickness and suggests that TB may be better understood by considering the correlation between inflammatory biomarkers and brain volumes.

Treatment of Thoracic Tuberculosis Through Posterior Costal Transverse Joint Window: A Clinical Study

BackgroundThe surgical treatment of thoracic spinal tuberculosis has garnered enormous interest from researchers towards the development of posterior surgical techniques that have contributed to greater use of the one-stage posterior approach. This study aims to demonstrate the initial clinical experience of a modified total posterior approach, in which the one-stage posterior approach preserves the posterior spinal column structure by combining with the endoprosthetic implant fusion for thoracic spinal tuberculosis. MethodsIn this clinical study, we intended to report the initial idea of a modified total posterior approach. In detail, a one-stage posterior approach was applied to preserve the posterior spinal column structure that could be applied to clinical practice. ResultsThe employed practical procedure presented a reduced duration of surgical intervention and intraoperative trauma. Nevertheless, further studies with large samples and multiple centers are required to explore the idea comprehensively. ConclusionsThis approach offered some advantages in terms of intraoperative exposure, blood loss volume, and length of surgery. Further, multi-center studies with large samples are needed to understand the precise effects and implications of the approach.

IMPROVING THE DIAGNOSIS OF SPINAL TUBERCULOSIS AND OUR UNDERSTANDING OF ITS PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND INTERACTION WITH HIV-1 CO-INFECTION

Specific and rapid detection methods for spinal tuberculosis, with sufficient sensitivity in HIV-1 co-infected individuals, are needed, to ensure early initiation of appropriate treatment to prevent physical disability and neurological fallout. In addition, understanding the systemic and local pathophysiology of spinal tuberculosis, and its interaction with HIV-1 infection, is crucial to guide future therapeutic interventions.We prospectively enrolled adult patients presenting with signs and symptoms of suspected spinal tuberculosis, at Groote Schuur Hospital, between November 2020 and December 2021. TB diagnostic testing was performed on open and CT-guided spinal biopsies using Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra compared to gold standards TB culture and histology. A highly sensitive droplet digital PCR assay for detecting and quantifying Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and HIV-1 DNA was tested. Plasma inflammatory proteins were measured to assess systemic inflammation.Xpert Ultra had a high sensitivity of 94.7% and specificity of 100% for STB against TB culture and histology in both open and CT-guided biopsy samples. The ddPCR assay confirmed TB detection in 94% of patients with positive Xpert Ultra results. Four patients with negative TB diagnostic results had MTBC DNA detected by ddPCR. HIV-1 DNA was detected in the spinal tissues from all HIV-1-infected patients. MTBC DNA levels were significantly higher in HIV-1-co-infected spinal tissue samples (p&lt; 0.01). We identified four biomarkers significantly associated with higher bacterial burden at the disease site (p&lt; 0.01).Xpert Ultra and MTBC ddPCR improve the detection of STB. DdPCR can be utilized as an additional, highly sensitive tool for detecting and quantifying Mtb, in pathological samples that may be paucibacillary. These findings provide novel diagnostic and pathophysiologic insight into STB, in the context of HIV-1 infection, and provide rationale to include these tests in hospital and research settings for patients from communities burdened by TB and HIV-1.

Relationship between TLR-2 level and clinical or radiological severity on patients with tuberculosis spondylitis in Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo hospital Makassar.

Spinal tuberculosis or TB spondylitis is one of the most common types of extra pulmonary tuberculosis, which is about 15% of all cases. It causes severe morbidity, neurological deficits, and severe deformities in the patients. The growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in culture specimens obtained from infected tissue is the single gold standard diagnostic test for spinal TB. Toll-like receptor (TLR) is one of the important receptors in the first-line defence system against microbes. TLR-2 and TLR-4 are known to be associated with tuberculosis infection. Based on this background, the researchers were interested in examining the relationship between TLR-2 levels and the clinical and radiological severity of TB spondylitis patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted with patients diagnosed with tuberculosis spondylitis at Dr Wahidin Sudirohusodo Makassar. Patients diagnosed with TB spondylitis confirmed by blood tests, GeneExpert, and magnetic resonance imaging without prior treatment were included. Data analysis were conducted by using descriptive analysis and one-way ANOVA for bivariate analysis. The mean value of TLR2 levels in TB spondylitis patients was 9.1 g/dL. TLR2 levels in paraesthesia were significantly higher than normal (P < .05). Similar trend were analyzed on the motor neurologic status with TLR2 levels in paraparesis were significantly higher than those in normal (P < .05). There is a significant relationship between the TLR2 levels in TB spondylitis and their impaired motor and sensory function. Spinal destruction has been shown to provide significant relationship with TLR2 value in spondylitis TB.

Role of Gene Xpert MTB/RIF assay for detecting tuberculous spondylitis in specimens obtained by CT-guided aspiration/biopsy and spectrum of imaging findings in spinal tuberculosis

ObjectiveTo evaluate the utility of the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay for the diagnosis of tuberculous spondylitis in samples obtained by CT-guided aspiration/biopsy. The effect of anti-tubercular treatment, specimen type, and imaging findings on laboratory results was also assessed along with a comparison of imaging findings in tubercular versus non-tubercular cases. MethodsThis prospective observational study, planned for CT-guided aspiration/ biopsy, included 70 adults with suspected tuberculous spondylitis. Specimens were sent for microscopy, histopathology, TB culture, and Gene Xpert MTB/RIF assay. The correlation of sampling location, specimen type, anti-tubercular treatment, and imaging findings on microbiology results was documented. ResultsA definite diagnosis of tuberculous spondylitis was obtained in 50 cases. The assay had a 100 % agreement for smear-positive, culture-positive, specimens while the overall agreement was 41.3 %. Rifampicin resistance was detected in 8 cases. Seventy-one percent of patients were on empiric ATT. Imaging findings such as end plate destruction, paravertebral soft tissue thickening and abscess, disc involvement, sequestrum, and bony fragments were significantly associated with a final diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis. ConclusionsThe Gene Xpert MTB/RIF assay performed on specimens obtained by CT-guided aspiration/biopsy is a sensitive and rapid method of establishing a diagnosis of tuberculous spondylitis even in cases on ATT.

Current Insights into Diagnosing and Treating Neurotuberculosis in Adults.

Neurotuberculosis has the highest morbidity and mortality risk of all forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Early treatment is paramount, but establishing diagnosis are challenging in all three forms of neurotuberculosis: tuberculous meningitis (TBM), spinal TB and tuberculomas. Despite advancements in diagnostic tools and ongoing research aimed at improving TB treatment regimens, the mortality rate for neurotuberculosis remains high. While antituberculosis drugs were discovered in the 1940s, TB treatment regimens were designed for and studied in pulmonary TB and remained largely unchanged for decades. However, new antibiotic regimens and host-directed therapies are now being studied to combat drug resistance and contribute to ending the TB epidemic. Clinical trials are necessary to assess the effectiveness and safety of these treatments, addressing paradoxical responses in neurotuberculosis cases and ultimately improving patient outcomes. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic analyses can inform evidence-based dose selection and exposure optimization. This review provides an update on the diagnosis and treatment of neurotuberculosis, encompassing both sensitive and resistant antituberculosis drug approaches, drawing on evidence from the literature published over the past decade.

Epidemiology of low back pain: frequency, risk factors, and patterns in South-South Nigeria.

Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition that poses significant public health challenges. However, its epidemiology in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in rural settings, remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to determine the epidemiology of LBP in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. This was a retrospective review of the records of all LBP cases seen at the rheumatology clinic from 2018 to 2022 in a Teaching Hospital in South-South Nigeria. The sociodemographic and clinical data, including disability scores, was extracted from the patients' medical records. The data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25, and the level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Among 1,580 patients, 319 (20.2%) reported LBP. The mean age was 59.51 ±10.21, and the peak age incidence was 51-60 years. Low back pain was more prevalent in females (61.4%). Work-related factors (47.3%) such as heavy lifting (26.3%), prolonged sitting (19.4%), and poor posture (27.9%) were the prominent risk factors. Sedentary behavior (11.5%) and obesity (16.9%) contributed. Common clinical manifestations included difficulty standing or bending (73%), walking difficulties (67.7%), sleep disturbances (51.4%), and radicular pain (45.8%). Common etiologies were spondylosis (66.5%), spondylolisthesis (22.3%), disc prolapse (19.4%), spinal canal stenosis (15.4%), muscle spasm (12.2%), and tuberculous spondylitis (9.7%). Acute and chronic LBP constituted 12.2% and 79.9% of cases, respectively. In terms of disability, 33.5% had minimal, 44.5% had moderate, 15.4% had severe, and 6.6% had crippling disabilities. Mechanical causes were the most implicated in LBP. Work-related factors and lifestyle choices contribute to the occurrence of LBP. Adjusting posture and lifestyle modification reduces LBP risk. Understanding its epidemiology is crucial for optimizing care and implementing preventive strategies.

A specific course of tuberculous spondylitis with concurrent HIV infection

The article describes a clinical case of surgical treatment of tuberculous spondylitis and tuberculous pleurisy in a HIV positive patient with disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis. A severe pain syndrome in tuberculous spondylitis was the fi rst clinical manifestation of generalized multiple drug resistant tuberculosis.Surgical treatment of spinal deformity relieved the pain syndrome, microbiological results of surgical biopsy of the vertebrae and pleura allowed prescribing the eff ective treatment for generalized tuberculosis

Perinephric and psoas abscesses leading to empyema: An unusual tuberculosis presentation

Tuberculous psoas abscess usually results from tuberculous spondylitis but may also develop from direct spread or via hematogenous route [1]. Our case involves direct spread from an adjacent perinephric abscess with associated thoracic extension from suspected direct erosion or a diaphragmatic defect. We present a case of pleural empyema arising from abdominal tuberculous abscesses. This is an 11-year-old male who initially presented with a three-week history of cough, intermittent fever, and dyspnea. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia was first suspected at the emergency department when an opacified left hemithorax with cystic lucencies was noted. Further imaging of the chest and upper abdomen was done in our institution revealing large left perinephric and psoas abscesses with intra-thoracic extension resulting in empyema thoracis and necessitans. Culture of the abscess fluid yielded no growth but GenExpert tested positive for M. tuberculosis. Tuberculosis remains a major illness in developing countries and has a multitude of infection sites and clinical presentation. Our case presented as an ascending thoracic extension of a perinephric and psoas abscess, likely from a diaphragmatic defect. The absence of spinal involvement proves its renal origin. The importance of CT scan is highlighted in medically-confounding cases such as this one.

Tubercular Dactylitis in a 5-Year Girl: A Case Report on Uncommon Presentation of Skeletal Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis of the spinal cord, which is known as tubercular spondylitis is the most manifested musculoskeletal TB. Tuberculosis also affects the hip joint, knee joint, wrist, and elbow joint in descending order. Tubercular Dactylitis is a less common form of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, which involves the small bones of the hand and feet. Tuberculosis causes granuloma formation in short tubular bones resulting in spindle shaped swelling, which is Spina Ventosa. A5 years old Bangladeshi girl presented to the orthopaedics department with a history of pain-free gradual expansion of the middle phalanx of the left index finger for 3 consecutive months. Findings of physical and radiographic examination were in line with tubercular dactylitis. Curettage and allogenic bone grafting procedure was performed. Then tubercular dactylitis was ensured by histo-pathological examination. The patient was further treated with Anti-TB drugs for 12 months. Clinical and functional outcomes were satisfactory and there was no recurrence after 2 years of follow-up. As tubercular dactylitis is an infrequent presentation of skeletal tuberculosis, diagnosis, and management decision was difficult. Our experience in treating the patient with curettage and allogenic bone grafting along with 12 months anti-tubercular medications was excellent. So, this can be recommended as one of the best modalities of treatment of tubercular dactylities in children.