No abstract

Background: The escalating global pandemic of tuberculosis infections results in 8 million new cases diagnosed each year. The thoracic and thoracolumbar spine is the most prevalent area involved in musculoskeletal tuberculosis. Deformity with associated neurological compromise, requiring extended in-patient treatment and rehabilitation, is common.Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is prevalent and tissue samples are needed to obtain bacterial culture and sensitivity. Decompression of the spinal canal, directly or indirectly, should accelerate neurological recovery. Methods:A retrospective study was performed at Tygerberg Hospital to evaluate the efficacy of costotransversectomy in spinal thoracic tuberculosis with regard to neurological recovery and deformity. Neurological status was compared at 6 months post-operatively with the pre-surgical status. The end deformity was compared with Rajasakeran's equation.Results: Thirty patients met the inclusion criteria, with an average age of 37 years. Fifteen patients were HIV positive, and ten of them on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The average CD4 count was 235.The mean neurological status of the group was classified as Frankel C, but this improved to Frankel D at 6 months post-surgery. Initial sagittal deformity was 18.7°, which increased to 26° one year post-operatively. This was not significantly different from the 25.6° kyphosis predicted by the Rajasekaran formula. A 67% positive culture yield for TB was obtained which compared favourably to percutaneous transpedicular needle biopsies performed at the same institute which had a yield of 56%. Conclusions:Costotransversectomy is a simple procedure resulting in indirect decompression of the spinal cord, improving the microbiological diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis, and possibly leading to earlier neurological recovery, without the risk of creating further instability and greater deformity.

Background: Cytomegalovirus-related infections are commonly seen in immunocompromised patients. However, haemorrhagic cystitis is an exceptionally rare associated manifestation. We present an unusual case of cytomegalovirus-related haemorrhagic cystitis in a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Case presentation: A 33-year-old HIV-positive female presented with acute gross haematuria and suprapubic pain. Cystoscopy revealed features suggestive of haemorrhagic cystitis with clots in the bladder and an ulcerative lesion on the left lateral wall which was biopsied. Histology demonstrated the presence of enlarged cells containing eosinophilic intranuclear and ill-defined amphophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions. Immunohistochemistry was positive for cytomegalovirus. Conclusion: This case appears to be the first of its kind reported in South Africa highlighting the importance of considering cytomegalovirus as a potential infectious aetiology in AIDS patients with haematuria. Bladder irrigation with normal saline with or without clot evacuation combined with Ganciclovir are associated with good outcome.

A germline mutation is identified in almost 40% of Pheochromocytoma-Paraganglioma (PPGL) Syndromes. Genetic testing and counselling are essential for the management of index cases as well as pre-symptomatic identification and pre-emptive management of affected family members. Mutations in the genes encoding the mitochondrial enzyme succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) are well described in patients with hereditary PPGL. Amongst patients of African ancestry the prevalence, phenotype, germline mutation spectrum and penetrance of SDH mutations is poorly characterized. We describe a multifocal paraganglioma in a young African male with an underlying mis-sense SDHB mutation, with a history of three first-degree relatives who demised at young ages from suspected cardiovascular causes. The same SDHB mutation, Class V variant c.724C>A p.(Arg242Ser), was detected in one of his asymptomatic siblings. As there is limited data describing hereditary PPGL syndromes in Africa this report of an SDHB associated PPGL is a notable contribution to the literature in this growing field. Due to the noteworthy clinical implications of PPGL mutations, it highlights the existing need for broader genetic screening amongst African patients with PPGL despite the limited healthcare resources available in this region.