J Korean Orthop Assoc.  1977 Dec;12(4):731-737. 10.4055/jkoa.1977.12.4.731.

Appendiceal Tuberculosis of the Spine

• Jahng JS
• Kim SJ
• Park BM

• KMID: 2460674
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.1977.12.4.731

Abstract

Tuberculosis of the vertebral column is a slowly developing disease, characterized by pain, spinal deformity, and occasionally paralysis. The following varieties of vertebral tuberculosis are commonly recognized, such as a central variety, metaphysial tuberculosis (inter-vertebral articular type), an anterior or periosteal variety, appendiceal tuberculosis, and a true tuberculous arthritis. Among these appendiceal tuberculosis is rare. This form of Potts disease may be unilateral or bilateral and may be isolated or present at multiple levels. Disk space changes and deformity are minor features, but large paravertebral abscesses are invariable. Extradural extension may lead to the development of paraplegia. Two cases of destructive lesions at the neural arch of 10th. and 11th. thoracic vertebra were revealed to be appendiceal tuberculosis. All cases treated with antituberculous medication, radical curettage and body jaket casts and made recoveries. Patients had no complaints and no evidence of recurrence. A brief summary of the literature is submitted.

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Arthritis
Congenital Abnormalities
Curettage
Humans
Paralysis
Paraplegia
Recurrence
Spine*
Tuberculosis*
Tuberculosis, Spinal