Spondylitis with epidural abscess and spinal tuberculoma as a major cause of myeloradiculopathy: a case report

Abstract

Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing aerobic bacillus. The primary site of infections can be in the lungs, mediastinum lymph nodes, mesentery, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system, or any other viscera. We described a case of a 52-year-old Indonesian female who presented weakness in upper and lower extremities with low back pain and stiffness of the muscle since 4 months ago and getting worse over 1 week. She has no history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Then the patient underwent a laboratory examination, chest X-ray, vertebrae X-ray, and MRI examination for further evaluation. Both examinations revealed tuberculous spondylitis with epidural abscess and intramedullary tuberculoma. The patient was administered an antituberculosis drug therapy, and the surgery was scheduled after three months of treatment.

Keywords

• Tuberculosis
• TB
• Spinal tuberculosis
• Tuberculoma
• Epidural abscess
• Chest X-ray