Unusual presentation of isolated sacral tuberculosis

Joint Bone Spine. 2006 Dec;73(6):751-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2006.01.016. Epub 2006 Apr 19.

Abstract

Tuberculosis is as old as mankind. Vertebral tuberculosis is fairly common form of bone and joint tuberculosis. However, isolated sacral tuberculosis is rare. It may present as an atypical sacral lesion having epidural granuloma without destruction of sacrum on MRI and plain X-rays. This atypical presentation may lead to delay in diagnosis and treatment. This case report intends to emphasize that spinal tuberculosis should be the first and foremost differential diagnosis in the presence of atypical clinical and radiological features of a sacral lesion particularly in developing countries. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent or minimize the neurological morbidity in such cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bone Marrow / microbiology
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Edema / microbiology
  • Edema / pathology
  • Female
  • Gadolinium
  • Humans
  • Low Back Pain / microbiology
  • Low Back Pain / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging* / methods
  • Sacrum / microbiology*
  • Sacrum / pathology*
  • Tuberculosis, Spinal / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis, Spinal / pathology*

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Gadolinium