Pott's disease

Pott's disease (malum Potti) is a chronic epidural tuberculous infection with inflammation of the vertebral body (spondylitis of the vertebral bodies), usually in the lower thoracic spine. It is one of the most common forms of bony tuberculosis (others include, for example, tuberculous arthritis, which is usually monoarticular).

Characteristics:
 * It spreads from the disc to the anterior part of the vertebral bodies (spondylodiscitis tuberculosa).
 * When 2 adjacent vertebrae collapse, a block or stiffening develops and spinal cord compression may occur.
 * Paralysis of the lower limbs occurs in up to half of cases.
 * Magnetic resonance imaging sometimes demonstrates a cold abscess deposited paravertebrally.
 * The disease is thus summarized by 3 basic symptoms: plegia, kyphosis and abscess.

Related articles

 * Tuberculosis (pathology)
 * Tuberculosis (pediatrics)
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