Atypical intradural spinal tuberculosis: report of three cases

To report three cases of intradural spinal tuberculosis (TB) by calling attention to atypical forms of spinal TB.

A University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

Histopathological, radiological, surgical and physical examination findings of three patients with spinal TB were retrospectively reviewed.

Based on histopathological, surgical and radiological findings, diagnosis of intramedullary abscess had been made in the first case and early and late phases of arachnoiditis in the other two patients, respectively. The clinical outcome was evaluated as satisfactory for the patient with intramedullary abscess who had been treated with medical and surgical interventions. The remaining two patients with arachnoiditis, who had been treated by shunting or simple decompression, had a relatively less favorable clinical outcome.

Spinal TB, in its atypical forms, is a rare clinical entity and low index of suspicion on the part of the surgeon may result in misdiagnosis such as neoplasm. In cases presenting with an intraspinal mass lesion, possibility of a tuberculous abscess and/or a granuloma should be considered in the differential diagnosis.