title: Isolated atypical spinal tuberculosis mistaken for neoplasia: case report and literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report a case of isolated intra-spinal tuberculosis in a 45 year-old woman. The uncommon findings in MRI were more suggestive of tumor lesion.
  
  
  METHODS
  After 3 month history of low back pain and 2 weeks radiated pain of right lower extremity, an operation was performed and the total intra-spinal mass was resected. Histological examination revealed a granulomatous necrosis with caseum. Symptoms were greatly improved postoperatively and then the patient was treated with four anti-tuberculosis drugs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case indicated the complexity of differentiating atypical spinal tuberculosis from disease which could cause spinal cord and cauda equina compression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, 415 Fengyang Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200003, People's Republic of China. doctoryoung2008@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Xinwei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.forename: Deyu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000175:diagnosis*