title: Tuberculous spinal cord compression in pregnancy.
abstract: A case of tuberculous spinal cord compression causing acute paraparesis in a pregnant woman of 33 weeks gestation is described. Immediate Caesarean section followed by aggressive surgical decompression of the spine via an anterior approach with reconstruction achieved a good outcome for mother and fetus. The management of tuberculous spinal cord compression in pregnancy is discussed, with particular reference to the timing of delivery. We recommend early decompression of the spine if there is progressive neurological compromise. The fetal management is secondary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Rosenfeld
authors.forename: E I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Torey
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Michael
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Johnson