Tuberculous spondylodiscitis usually affects the dorso-lumbar spine, and its cervical location is a rare condition that can mimic other diseases and consequently cause treatment delays. We report a case of tuberculous spondylodiscitis of the lower cervical spine discovered under unusual circumstances in a patient with severe polytrauma involving a cranio-cerebral trauma, a non-displaced fracture of the two laminæ and the spinous process of the C6 vertebrae as well as fibular and tibial shaft fractures. The patient underwent static tibial nailing, and a collar with occipital and chin supports was applied. At 2-month follow-up, the patient presented with severe neck pain without neurologic deficits. Plain and dynamic cervical radiographs showed a stable C6-C7 subluxation and C7 superior endplate collapse. The CT scan also outlined prevertebral soft tissue swelling. The MRI showed a C6-C7 spondylodiscitis associated with a prevertebral abscess with am 8-cm major axis. The diagnosis of C6-C7 Pott's disease was confirmed by a CT-guided biopsy. The patient received 12 months of antituberculous chemotherapy, after which the paravertebral abscess completely disappeared, and the patient has had no functional sequelae. The diagnosis of cervical spine tuberculosis is difficult and requires a high level of attention. Delays in establishing the diagnosis and starting the appropriate treatment result in severe complications such as spinal cord compression and spinal deformity, which are difficult to manage.

The Essex-Lopresti injury is an extremely rare condition combining radial head or neck fracture, distal radio-ulnar joint dislocation and rupture of the interosseous membrane. However, there are rare or unusual varieties or associated injuries. We report a case of a 46-year-old woman with a posterior dislocation of the radio-humeral joint, a radial shaft fracture, and a distal radio-ulnar joint dislocation. She underwent open reduction and internal fixation of the radial shaft fracture followed by an immobilization by a long elbow splint in supination for 6 weeks. At 18 months of follow-up, she was asymptomatic and she had a full range of elbow and wrist motion and had resumed thoroughly her previous job. The Essex-Lopresti injury results from a complex injury to the forearm axis with resultant longitudinal instability, which can be challenging to treat. There are some variations that can lead to a missed diagnosis resulting in persistent pain and instability of the wrist. The best outcomes are reached with early diagnosis and prompt management.

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