Tuberculous Spondylitis Presenting as Severe Chest Pain

Abstract

This case report describes a 32-year-old male who presented to an emergency department with severe chest pain and a history of cough, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite and weight. Chest radiography revealed a left upper lobe consolidation and multiple compression deformities in the thoracic spine. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated significant kyphosis and vertebral plana at two thoracic levels. Anterior compression of the spinal cord and adjacent soft tissue masses were also noted.

Mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis presenting with insidious back pain in a male adult: a case report and review of the literature

“…12 Thus, many patients with back pain owing to tuberculous spondylitis were referred to rheumatology outpatient departments or other departments for diagnosis and treatment. 13 , 14 Spinal tuberculosis, an extrapulmonary form of tuberculosis, is also known as Pott's disease, tuberculous spondylitis or tuberculous vertebral osteomyelitis. 15 , 16 A similar case of a 35-year-old woman involved misdiagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis.…”

Vertebra Plana: A Narrative Clinical and Imaging Overview among Possible Differential Diagnoses

“…However, further evaluations, including histopathologic analysis, confirmed an infection from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the patient was healed after treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs [ 93 ]. In adults, the formation of abscesses can result in vertebral body destruction and, when the involvement of the pedicles occurs, it usually is associated with severe vertebral body collapse [ 94 ]. Clearly, the presence of caseating granuloma on histological examination suggests TBC and microbiological confirmation is essential for a definitive diagnosis.…”