Tuberculous spondylitis presenting as severe chest pain

Abstract

This case report describes a 32-year-old male who presented to an emergency department with severe chest pain and a history of cough, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite and weight. Chest radiography revealed a left upper lobe consolidation and multiple compression deformities in the thoracic spine. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated significant kyphosis and vertebral plana at two thoracic levels. Anterior compression of the spinal cord and adjacent soft tissue masses were also noted.

Keywords

• tuberculosis
• spondylitis
• pain
• chest
• magnetic resonance imaging
• mycobacterium tuberculosis.