Two cases of pott disease associated with bilateral psoas abscesses: case report.
METHODS
Two case reports and a literature review of spinal osteomyelitis with bilateral psoas abscesses secondary to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.


OBJECTIVE
Describe the presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of spinal tuberculosis (i.e., Pott disease).


BACKGROUND
Pott disease is a well-known condition in unindustrialized countries causing multiple spinal deformities in children. However, its association with bilateral psoas abscesses in adults with minimal risk factors is not commonly recognized in industrialized countries.


METHODS
There are 2 adult cases of Pott disease with psoas abscesses presented, and the relevant literature is reviewed. Plain spine radiographs, spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), routine bacterial and acid-fast bacilli cultures of infected material, and other diagnostic testing for M. tuberculosis were performed.


RESULTS
Plain radiographs and MRI of the spine showed vertebral osteomyelitis with compression fractures, and MRI also revealed bilateral psoas abscesses. Acid-fast bacilli culture and other M. tuberculosis diagnostic testing of psoas abscess specimens confirmed the diagnosis of M. tuberculosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Although spinal osteomyelitis with psoas abscess is classically associated with Staphylococcus aureus infection, Pott disease should be considered in this clinical setting, and risk factor assessment and testing for tuberculosis should be performed.
Maron
Rhodemarie
R
Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0007, USA.
Levine
Deborah
D
Dobbs
Thomas E
TE
Geisler
William M
WM
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016659:Psoas Abscess / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D011859:Radiography; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
D000995:Antitubercular Agents