Cervical spinal tuberculous abscess managed successfully by conservative approach.
OBJECTIVE
To draw attention to the increasing number of cases of spinal tuberculosis by an additional case presentation of cervical tuberculous abscess.


METHODS
A 54-year-old diabetic woman with neck and arm pain, weakness in four limbs was diagnosed spinal tuberculosis. MRI demonstrated epidural mass at C4-C5 level with destruction of these vertebral bodies. Diagnosis was confirmed by the clinical improvement after administration of antituberculous drugs.


RESULTS
After the drug therapy, improvement was observed in her neurological status. Follow-up MRI studies after 3 and 5 months showed disappearance of the mass lesion.


CONCLUSIONS
To treat this spinal infection effectively, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Early diagnosis increases the chance of conservative therapy. In our case, despite neurological complications, management was accomplished by nonoperative approach.
Ozyemici-Takiran
Ozden
O
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. ozyemisci@gazi.edu.tr
Celk
Gülsemn Ertürk
GE
Altunçekç
Arzu
A
Sepici
Vesile
V
D000038:Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
D000995:Antitubercular Agents