Back Pain from Spinal Tuberculosis

Abstract

Background: Spinal tuberculosis is an uncommon disease but still occurs widely.

Findings: We describe a 56-year-old woman presenting with a severe backache. She was diagnosed with osteoporosis and a lumbar disc herniation two months ago, but tuberculosis had not been diagnosed before. We reviewed the relevant literature and emphasized the impact of early diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis.

Conclusions: The onset of tuberculous spondylitis is insidious in nature, with various clinical presentations. Lack of specific symptoms causes delays in diagnosis. Its diagnosis may be delayed because tuberculosis is not considered in the differential diagnosis. In cases with severe back pain, spinal tuberculosis must be included in the differential diagnosis.

• Back pain
• spinal tuberculosis
• spondylitis