[Tuberculous spondylitis of vertebra with fracture, paraparesis and pleural empyema complications--case report].
BACKGROUND
Spine tuberculosis is caused by Micobacterium tuberculosis. It is localized in the vertebral body or intervertebral disc. Its diagnosis is often delayed because of nonspecific symptoms and neglected presence of tuberculosis, which leads to serious complications.


METHODS
This paper presents a case of tuberculous spondylitis, which was complicated with the fracture of vertebra, paraparesis of lower extremities and pleural empyema. The treatment with antituberculous drugs started after the fracture of 10th and 11th thoracic vertebras. The therapy brought some improvement but paraparesis of lower extremities remained. In the further course of disease, inflammatory process affected the pleura. Antibiotic and antitubercular therapy with puncture of pleura were not very effective. Operation was performed on December 20th 2011: Thoracotomia lat. dex. Decorticatio pulmonum lat.dex. Seven months after surgery, the patient was without symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Tuberculous spondylitis occurs relatively frequently in clinical practice. Early diagnosis and adequate therapy of this disease can prevent the occurrence of its serious complications.
Visoka medicinska skola strukovnih studija "Milutin Milanković", Beograd. dragojlovic.radica@gmail.com
Radica Dragojlović
RD
Ruzicić
Vladimir
V
Jakovljević
Vladimir
V
Zivković
Sinisa
S
Vujić
Pavle
P
Varagić
Predrag
P
Nikodijević
D000368:Aged; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004654:Empyema, Tuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020335:Paraparesis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000382:microbiology; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*