Spine is most commonly affected bone by tuberculosis infection. It primarily affects thoracic spine; however, tuberculosis of lumbar spine, cervical spine and sacrum are not uncommon. Primary lesion in spine tuberculosis is infection of the disc and adjacent vertebral bones. This gradually involves vertebral bodies causing destruction and collapse of vertebra. Occasionally, infection starts in vertebral body or posterior part of bony vertebral ring.
Tuberculosis can easily spread to the spine and cause spinal arthritis if not treated. When the infection spreads to two adjacent joints, the spinal disc receives fewer nutrients and begins to degrade. The vertebrae narrow and collapse when a disc collapses, causing spinal cord damage. This condition can result in nerve damage, paralysis, and back deformities if left untreated.
SPINE TUBERCULOSIS SYMPTOMS
- Fever
- Unknown cause of weight loss
- Sweating at night
- Severe back pain indicates that tuberculosis has progressed to the spine.
- Displace bone fragments from vertebral body destruction and collapse,
- Pus and granulation tissue in spinal canal,
- Compression of spinal cord by deforme spine,
- Direct involvement of spinal cord by infection
