Paralytic ileus in the patient with tuberculosis of spine

Abstract

Background: We reported a patient with spinal tuberculosis and paralytic ileus. A 56-year-old Javanese male presented with lower limb paralysis and bowel obstruction 2 weeks prior to admission. He was found to have hypoalbuminemia and hypesthesia from the T7/T9 levels and below. Other than increased alanine aminotransferase, hematology and blood chemical tests were normal. MRI and plain abdominal radiographs confirmed the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis at the T5/6 level and paralytic ileus. Tubercles in the lymphoid tissue of the intestinal submucosa were not seen.

Conclusion: Paralytic ileus may occur in spinal TB.

Keywords:

• Pott’s disease
• paraplegia
• intestinal obstruction
• inflammation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.