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A rare radiological appearance of lumbar tuberculous vertebral osteomyelitis

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Abstract

Spinal tuberculosis (TB), or Pott disease, has classically been recognized as a source of spinal deformities in unindustrialized countries. However, in industrialized countries with more access to sensitive imaging studies, Pott disease may be identified earlier as vertebral osteomyelitis with local complications, such as psoas abscess. In industrialized countries, persons at risk for Pott disease include the immunosuppressed, African Americans and those with a history of prior exposure to TB (Maron et al. Spine 31(16):E561–E564, 2006). This report describes an unusual case with a very interesting radiological appearance of spinal TB. A 30-year-old man presented with dull, progressive back pain. Radiological control showed complete destruction of the L4 vertebral body and partial destruction of the L3, as well as extensive bilateral paraspinal soft tissue infection. The patient underwent open biopsy, complete abscess drainage, lumbar spine stabilization and antituberculous chemotherapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

No funds were received in support of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Β’ Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Athens Medical School, Agia Olga Hospital, 3-5 Agias Olgas Str., Athens, 14233, Greece

    Christiana Savvidou

  2. Department of Radiology, Agia Olga Hospital, 3-5 Agias Olgas Str., Athens, 14233, Greece

    Charikleia Triantopoulou

  3. B’ Department of Radiology, University of Athens Medical School, Attikon General Hospital, Rimini 1, Chaidari, Athens, 12464, Greece

    Sofia N. Chatziioannou

  4. Department of Computed Tomography, Agia Olga Hospital, 3-5 Agias Olgas Str., Athens, 14233, Greece

    John Papailiou

  5. C’ Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Athens Medical School, KAT Hospital, Nikis 2, Kifissia, Athens, 14562, Greece

    Dimitrios S. Korres & Spiros G. Pneumaticos

Authors
  1. Christiana Savvidou
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  2. Charikleia Triantopoulou
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  3. Sofia N. Chatziioannou
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  4. John Papailiou
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  5. Dimitrios S. Korres
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  6. Spiros G. Pneumaticos
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Spiros G. Pneumaticos.

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The study was approved by research ethics committee and informed consent has been obtained.

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Savvidou, C., Triantopoulou, C., Chatziioannou, S.N. et al. A rare radiological appearance of lumbar tuberculous vertebral osteomyelitis. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 20, 313–316 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-009-0563-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-009-0563-2

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