A Case of Pott's Disease: Typical Presentation of an Uncommon Disease in the United States

Pott’s disease (PD), also known as tuberculosis spondylitis, is a rare disease of the spine which is typically caused by extraspinal infection. The basic lesion in Pott's disease is a combination of osteomyelitis and arthritis, usually affecting more than one vertebra. The anterior aspect of the vertebral body adjacent to the subchondral plate is commonly involved. Spinal TB can include any of the following: progressive bone destruction leading to vertebral collapse and kyphosis, cold abscess formation (due to extension of infection into adjacent ligaments and soft tissues), spinal canal narrowing by abscesses, granulation tissue or direct dural invasionresulting in spinal cord compression and neurologic deficits.(1) Although the incidence of PD has recently increased in Europe and the United States, mainly due to immigration and an epidemic of acquired immune deficiency syndrome, it is still a rare disease. Here we present a patient who immigrated from India a few months ago who presented to the emergency room with mid back pain and was found to have Pott’s disease confirmed by biopsy and PCR testing.