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06 March 2018 : Case report  Turkey

Spinal Tuberculosis Mimicking Failed Back Surgery

Challenging differential diagnosis

Selçuk Özdoğan1ABCDEF*, Cumhur Kaan Yaltırık2AB, Ali Haluk Düzkalır3CD, Nail Demirel1EF, Mustafa Kaya4AB, Başar Atalay2AE

DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.907409

Am J Case Rep 2018; 19:249-253

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to draw attention to rare spinal infections in recurrent failed spinal surgeries.

CASE REPORT: A 59-year-old female was admitted to the hospital for back pain, which was assessed as a 9 on the visual analogue scale (VAS); the patient reported tiredness and night sweats. She had an operation for L3–4 far lateral disc herniation four years ago. Then another operation for L4–5 disc herniation six months ago and immediately three months later she has an operation with L3–4–5 fixation again. She had hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. Her daughter was cured of pulmonary tuberculosis 20 years ago. We performed an operation by L4–5 discectomy; all granulation formation with inflammatory processes were debrided and irrigated with antibiotics at levels of L3–5. The old fixation was controlled and replaced. Her back pain improved immediately after surgery; she had a score of 2 on the VAS. Two days after her surgery, our Infection Disease Department reported acid resistant bacillus (ARB+) in samples and began anti-tuberculosis medication.

CONCLUSIONS: Spinal infections should always be taken into consideration in recurrent failed back surgeries.

Keywords: Disease Management, Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, Tuberculosis, Central Nervous System

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American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923
American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923