[A case report of atypical tuberculous spondylitis]

A 22-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of progressive weakness of bilateral lower limbs on October 29, 1992. He also complained of cough, sputum and back pain for 6 months. He had no history of underlying disease. His family history disclosed that his elder brother had tuberculous peritonitis. Chest radiogram on admission showed an abnormal shadow around the right first arch. Computerized tomogram revealed osteolytic lesions of the vertebral corpus and posterior elements at the level of C3, Th5, and Th11. Metastatic bone tumor was strongly suspected and surgical decompression was done on November 12. Histologic findings of the bone showed caseation and Langhans's giant cells, and acid fast bacilli were isolated. He was treated with anti-tubercular chemotherapy and showed remarkable relief of his symptoms over a period of 6 months therapy. This was a case of atypical tuberculous spondylitis. The main locus existed at the posterior elements of the vertebra and the distribution of vertebral lesions was multiple including cervical spine.