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[Tubercular spondylitis with retropharyngeal abscess]
B Lübben1, B Tombach, C Rudack
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenkranke des Universitätsklinikums Münster, Münster, Germany.
HNO
|September 17, 2004
Summary
Tuberculosis is rising in industrialized nations. This case highlights an extremely rare instance of upper cervical spine tuberculosis presenting as a retropharyngeal abscess.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) incidence has increased in industrialized countries over the last 15 years.
- Upper cervical spine involvement in TB is uncommon.
- Cold retropharyngeal abscesses are a rare manifestation of spinal TB.
Observation:
- A 58-year-old female patient from Sri Lanka presented with non-specific neck pain and stiffness.
- Clinical examination and imaging revealed extensive osteodestruction of the second cervical spine body.
- Associated findings included an epidural abscess and a large retropharyngeal abscess.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with tuberculosis of the upper cervical spine.
- The extensive osteodestruction involved the C2 vertebral body.
- The case presented with both epidural and retropharyngeal abscess formation.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of neck pain and stiffness, even with rare presentations.
- Highlights the diagnostic challenges and management of upper cervical spine tuberculosis with associated abscesses.
- Contributes to the understanding of rare extrapulmonary tuberculosis manifestations in adults.
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