Some problems in diagnosis and management of spinal tuberculosis

In Victoria spinal tuberculosis is now rare in childhood. Some features of the disease in adults are described. A paravertebral abscess, although a late feature of the disease, is commonly present before a diagnosis is made. Antituberculosis drug therapy has greatly altered the pattern of healing of both the bone lesion and, in contrast to the era before chemotherapy, the healing of the abscess is no longer the dominant factor in the healing of the bone lesion. The controversy about radical surgery is discussed.