Tuberculosis of the lower lumbar spine with an atypical radiological presentation - a case mimicking a malignancy

A 65-year-old woman was treated for an atypical radiological presentation of spinal tuberculosis. Compared with previously reported cases, the following two different radiographic features were found. 1) Although there was multiple and skipped involvement of the vertebral body, the intervertebral di...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Asian spine journal 2007-12, Vol.1 (2), p.102-105
Main Authors: Jahng, Juhae, Kim, Young-Hoon, Lee, Kyo-Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abscesses
Biopsy
Bone marrow
Bone surgery
Case Report
Chemotherapy
Epidural
Granuloma
Granulomas
Intervertebral discs
Magnetic resonance imaging
Malignancy
Metastasis
Mimicry
Spinal cord
Spine (lumbar)
Tuberculosis
Vertebrae
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Summary:A 65-year-old woman was treated for an atypical radiological presentation of spinal tuberculosis. Compared with previously reported cases, the following two different radiographic features were found. 1) Although there was multiple and skipped involvement of the vertebral body, the intervertebral disc was relatively preserved. 2) The presence of an epidural granuloma indicated an epidural extension of the lesion of the adjacent vertebral body. These findings strongly mimicked bone marrow infiltrative disease such as a malignancy. Tuberculosis was confirmed through an open biopsy and the patient was treated successfully with antitubercular chemotherapy. This case highlights the importance of being aware that spinal tuberculosis has many different radiographic features and can mimic a spinal malignancy.
ISSN:1976-1902
1976-7846
DOI:10.4184/asj.2007.1.2.102