title: Spinal tuberculosis occurring after a closed bursting fracture of the vertebrae.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Only 12 cases of musculoskeletal tuberculosis (TB) that occurred at the site of recent blunt trauma have been previously described.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 43-year-old previously healthy man experienced an uncomplicated bursting fracture at the L2 vertebra without any spinal tuberculosis (ST)-associated evidence. During the conservative treatment, he was in good physical condition with back pain totally subsiding and occasional ambulation in a spinal brace, whereas 7 months after the original trauma, he presented with a characteristic manifestation of ST at the same vertebra.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intraoperatively, biopsy confirmed ST of the L2 vertebra and radical debridement with an anterior fusion was performed. The patient received an 18-month course of anti-TB regimen. Excellent clinical outcomes were achieved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In developing countries, where TB is still widely prevalent, there must be a heightened awareness of the risk of ST at recently fractured vertebrae, as demonstrated in this case.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Xinqiao Hospital, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chang-Qing
authors.initials: CQ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhuang
authors.forename: Jian-Ping
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents