What is a Potts Spine?
Spinal Tuberculosis, also known as Pott’s Disease, is a spinal infection caused by tuberculosis that can lead to osteomyelitis, kyphotic deformity, and spinal mechanical instability.
Spinal Tuberculosis requires a course of treatment that may need to be administered in six months to a year.
Risk factors
- Endemic tuberculosis.
- Poor socio-economic conditions.
- HIV infection.
- Chest X-ray
- Sputum cultures (to look for the presence of bacteria)
- Blood culture
- Tissue biopsy (to check for the possibilities of cancer)
Spinal tuberculosis symptoms and presentation
- The onset is gradual.
- Back pain is localised.
- Fever, night sweats, anorexia and weight loss.
- Signs may include kyphosis (common) and/or a paravertebral swelling.
- Affected patients tend to assume a protective, upright, stiff position.
- If there is neural involvement there will be neurological signs.
Diagnosis
- Chest X-ray
- Sputum cultures (to look for the presence of bacteria)
- Blood culture
- Tissue biopsy (to check for the possibilities of cancer)