Pott disease

Pott disease is a form of tuberculosis that affects the spine, a kind of tuberculous arthritis of the intervertebral joints. It is named after Percivall Pott, the British surgeon who first described it. Pott disease results from haematogenous spread of tuberculosis from other sites, often the lungs. The lower thoracic and upper lumbar vertebrae are the areas of the spine most often affected.

Symptoms

The disease can cause systemic symptoms like fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Localized symptoms can include back pain and stiffness, and in severe cases, patients may present with paraplegia due to compression of the spinal cord.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Pott disease is often delayed due to the non-specific symptoms and the slow progression of the disease. It is typically confirmed through imaging studies, such as MRI or CT scan, and microbiological studies, such as acid-fast bacilli smear and culture, or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Treatment

Treatment of Pott disease involves long-term antituberculous therapy (ATT) with multiple drugs, typically including isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. In some cases, surgical intervention may be required to debride the infection and stabilize the spine.

Prognosis

With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the prognosis for Pott disease is generally good. However, delays in diagnosis can lead to serious complications, including permanent neurological damage due to spinal cord compression.

Epidemiology

Pott disease is most common in areas with high rates of tuberculosis, such as sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and parts of Latin America. However, it can occur anywhere in the world, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS.

See also

• Tuberculosis
• Spinal tuberculosis
• Percivall Pott