Spinal subdural tuberculous abscess

Citation
M. Ozates et al., Spinal subdural tuberculous abscess, SPINAL CORD, 38(1), 2000, pp. 56-58
Citations number
11
Categorie Soggetti
Neurology
Journal title
SPINAL CORD
ISSN journal
13624393 → ACNP
Volume
38
Issue
1
Year of publication
2000
Pages
56 - 58
Database
ISI
SICI code
1362-4393(200001)38:1<56:SSTA>2.0.ZU;2-#
Abstract
Objectives: Spinal subdural abscess Is rare and only 45 cases have been des cribed to date. In this report, we present an additional spinal subdural tu berculous abscess. Method: Tuberculous meningitis was diagnosed with clinical and laboratory f indings in a 45-year-old man. A spinal subdural abscess was demonstrated us ing MRI. Presence of the abscess was revealed by surgical intervention. The diagnosis was confirmed by pathological examination. Results: The patient had been treated for tuberculous meningitis 2 years pr eviously. The disease recurred when anti-tuberculous therapy was prematurel y discontinued, During the second treatment, the patient also underwent a v entriculo-peritoneal shunt operation for hydrocephalus. Dizziness and weakn ess of both legs developed after the postoperative period. Spinal MRI showe d a. spinal subdural abscess as a iso-intense mass with spinal cord in the T1 and T2 weighted images, ring like enhancement and compression on the spi nal cord at T3-T4 level. The patient underwent surgery and the abscess was drained. Conclusion: Tuberculosis may cause a spinal subdural abscess and although i t is a rare disorder, when encountered MRI is very useful in the diagnosis.