Tuberculosis Spondylitis T4-6 with Compression Fracture T5: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: Case report OBJECTIVES: We report a case of a female patient who had only upper back pain without neurological symptoms and was later diagnosed with spine tuberculosis in combination with a compression fracture. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Spine tuberculosis is the most common type of musculoskeletal tuberculosis. However, the indolent nature of tuberculous bone and joint disease often leads to delayed diagnosis and severe neurologic complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 37-year-old female with only upper back pain for five months was admitted. She had no signs, symptoms or past histories related to tuberculosis. She had taken conservative management, but symptoms persisted. RESULTS: By doing motor and sensory evoked potential studies, we questioned spinal cord jury. Then, we confirmed spine tuberculosis T5 with T4 compression fracture by thoracic magnetic resonance imaging and pathologic findings. CONCLUSIONS: When a patient presents constant back pain without neurological symptoms, image study and electromyography should be evaluated.