Publication:

A case report on Pott’s spine masquerading as a midline neck swelling

Spinal tuberculosis (spinal TB) is one of the common forms of extra pulmonary TB in both developed and developing countries. A cold abscess without any acute inflammatory symptoms is characteristic of spinal TB and is seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in almost 70% of the patients. 37-year-old female patient presented to the ENT OPD with complaints of midline neck swelling for 03 months duration. The patient also gave history of fever on and off for the past 03 months. The swelling was not progressive in size for 03 months. Ultrasonography of the swelling revealed a cystic collection at the level of the thyroid gland. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) revealed an abscess extending from C2 to DV5 with a prevertebral, paravertebral and an epidural component. To conclude spinal TB could present in multiple ways. In all cases of extra pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) the mainstay treatment is antitubercular therapy (ATT) unless there is neurological deficit. Surgery is indicated only in cases with deformity or instability of the spine.