We present a retrospective analysis of 684 patients operated on for a herniated lumbar intervertebral disc. Of the 87 patients with a failed back syndrome, 12 were confirmed to have tuberculous infection of the same disc interval. These patients responded satisfactorily to bracing and a short course of anti-tubercular chemotherapy. Histopathological confirmation of the disease was obtained by CT guided biopsy, and only a few of the patients required repeat surgery. This study highlights one of the atypical presentations of tuberculosis of the spine as a herniated lumbar intervertebral disc and a cause of a failed back syndrome.Advanced imaging techniques such as MRI and CT scans are helpful in the early detection of such conditions. .
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations –citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.