[Spinal tuberculosis: experience in a third level medical facility in Puebla, Mexico]

Pott's disease or spinal tuberculosis (STB) is a serious infectious disease, caused by the migration of the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis to the spine. Knowing this disease is a priority for all the physicians. The objective was to show the experience in patients with STB treated in a third level hospital in Puebla, Mexico.

Descriptive study. From January to December, 2014, we collected information of patients with STB. The variables were age, gender, length of hospital stay, affected segment of the spine, associated diseases, symptoms, diagnostic methods, type of treatment and complication. We used descriptive statistics, as well as measures of central tendency and dispersion.

We studied 14 patients, 71.4 % male; mean age was 60.29 ± 16.54 years (33-93); the average hospital stay was 18.93 ± 9.32 days (4-34). The affected segment was thoracic in six patients (42.85%) and lumbar in eight (57.15%). Nine patients had associated diseases (64.28%) and five did not (35.7%). All patients received medical treatment and 11 surgical procedures were performed in a total of five patients (35.7%). Complications occurred in two patients (14.3%).

STB must be managed early to avoid complications. Coordination with the first level of medical care is very important, as well as the adherence to national and international guidelines.