Spinal tuberculosis in young children: Is it really unusual presentation in endemic countries like India

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kalane, Umesh D. | Kulkarni, Shilpa

Affiliations: Department of Pediatric Neurology, BJWH for Children, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Note: [] Correspondence: Umesh D. Kalane, MD, Flat no. 16, Hamy Plaza-A, Katraz-S.N.87, Pune-46, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Tel.: +98 69571694; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) is a necrotizing bacterial infection with protean manifestations. Skeletal TB accounts for 2–20% of all extra pulmonary cases in various studies and spinal TB is the most common form of skeletal involvement by TB (about half the cases of skeletal TB). It is predominantly a disease of the young adults. However, there is no exact data for its incidence in the pediatric population. Spinal TB is an unusual presentation before the age of 5 years. Here we report three different presentations of spinal TB presenting in the very early age.

Keywords: Spinal tuberculosis, Pott's spine, vertebral osteomyelitis

DOI: 10.3233/JPN-2010-0444

Journal: Journal of Pediatric Neurology, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 69-73, 2011