Title: A Rare Presentation of Skeletal Tuberculosis –Lumbar Spine and Metacarpals (Spina Ventosa)

Authors: Eleshwaram Naresh, Gudepuvalasa Deepthi, Kunche Alekhya, L Lokanadha Rao

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v8i3.68

Abstract

   

Introduction: Tuberculosis is an exceptionally infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB primarily affects the lungs, but in some cases, it can spread to other parts of the body. When TB spreads, it's referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB). One form of EPTB is bone and joint disease. Bone tuberculosis is simply a form of TB that affects the spine, the long bones, and the joints

Methods: A case report on an eight-year-old boy presented with multiple sinuses and ulcers over the right hand and spinal deformity since six months. The patient has a history of loss of appetite and loss of weight for one year, and restriction of movements in lumbar spine .patient was evaluated radiologically, and tuberculosis was confirmed by biopsy.

Results: The patient was put on anti-tubercular treatment initially and operated for correction of spinal deformity. ATT continued up to 9 months. Postoperatively, the patient regained lost movements, and the ulcers have healed completely.

Discussion: Spinal tuberculosis is a destructive form of the disease. It accounts for approximately half of all cases of musculoskeletal tuberculosis. Tuberculous dactylitis is one of the most frequent bacterial osteitis. It affects children more often than adults. Multiple bones are involved in children, and usually, only a single bone is involved in adults suffering from tuberculous dactylitis.

Conclusion: MRI and biopsy confirmed skeletal tuberculosis, the patient was put on ATT followed by CD fixation. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment will give an excellent outcome to patients.

Keywords: EPTB, Tuberculous Dactylitis, Biopsy, ATT, CD fixation.

References

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  2. Pigrau-Serrallach C, Rodríguez-Pardo D. Bone and joint tuberculosis. Eur Spine J. 2013 Jun;22(SUPPL.4):556.
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  5. Tuberculous dactylitis - Wikipedia [Internet]. [cited 2020 Mar 8]. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuberculous_dactylitis

Corresponding Author

Eleshwaram Naresh

Junior Resident, Department of Orthopaedics, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, India