Asian Spine J.  2007 Dec;1(2):102-105. 10.4184/asj.2007.1.2.102.

Tuberculosis of the Lower Lumbar Spine with an Atypical Radiological Presentation: A Case Mimicking a Malignancy

• Jahng J
• Kim YH
• Lee KS

• KMID: 1883070
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/asj.2007.1.2.102

Abstract

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.

Keyword

Atypical tuberculosis; Spondylitis; Malignancy

MeSH Terms

Aged
Biopsy
Bone Marrow
Drug Therapy
Female
Granuloma
Humans
Intervertebral Disc
Spine*
Spondylitis
Tuberculosis*
Tuberculosis, Spinal