[Spinal cord involvement by tuberculosis]

We are observing an increase of patients with tuberculosis in Spain. Within the forms of extrapulmonary presentation, the involvement of the central nervous system by the bacillus that cause this disease is a relatively frequent location. Although sometimes is affected the spinal cord of secondary form, rarely is observed isolated involvement.

We describe the diverse forms of spinal cord tuberculosis presentation, attending of its location within the spinal cord or adjacent annexes, in order that the clinician knows and remembers this infrequent but possible infection of the spinal cord, because their knowledge and prompt treatment modifies clearly their final prognosis. We analyze the treatment rules for each case according to the last recommendations, and finally, the differences in two groups of population, immunodepressant patients, like human immunodeficiency virus infected patients, as well as in paediatric age patients, because both groups have more possibility of tuberculosis infection generally, and therefore spinal cord involvement, with a differential clinical and therapeutic behaviour.