open access

Vol 47, No 2 (2013)
OPIS PRZYPADKU
Submitted: 2012-02-06
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Tuberculosis of the spine masquerading as a spine lymphoma. A case report and discussion of diagnostic and therapeutic traps

Aleksandra Truszczyńska1, Mirosława Nowak-Misiak2, Kazimierz Rąpała3, Piotr Walczak2
DOI: 10.5114/ninp.2013.33823
·
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2013;47(2):189-193.
Affiliations
  1. Katedra Fizjoterapii Układu Nerwowego i Narządu Ruchu, Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego im. J. Kukuczki w Katowicach
  2. Klinika Ortopedii, Centrum Medycznego Kształcenia Podyplomowego w Otwocku
  3. Społeczna Akademia Nauk w Warszawie

open access

Vol 47, No 2 (2013)
OPIS PRZYPADKU
Submitted: 2012-02-06

Abstract

Back pain unrelated to trauma or intervertebral disc disease might be due to a primary or metastatic neoplasm or an infection. We report a case treated as an isolated vertebral lymphoma which turned out to be vertebral tuberculosis.

A 59-year-old man with girdle-like thoraco-lumbar pain and impaired function of lower extremities was diagnosed with an isolated vertebral lymphoma. He was put on complete bed rest and began to receive chemotherapy and local radiotherapy. The unexpected clinical improvement led to a reconsideration of the working diagnosis. The appropriate antimicrobial treatment combined with bed rest resulted in rapid recovery and a good functional outcome. The bed rest during the time he received the chemo- and radiotherapy helped considerably in the improvement of his tuberculosis.

A definitive diagnosis demands a histopathological examination which may require a biopsy.

Abstract

Back pain unrelated to trauma or intervertebral disc disease might be due to a primary or metastatic neoplasm or an infection. We report a case treated as an isolated vertebral lymphoma which turned out to be vertebral tuberculosis.

A 59-year-old man with girdle-like thoraco-lumbar pain and impaired function of lower extremities was diagnosed with an isolated vertebral lymphoma. He was put on complete bed rest and began to receive chemotherapy and local radiotherapy. The unexpected clinical improvement led to a reconsideration of the working diagnosis. The appropriate antimicrobial treatment combined with bed rest resulted in rapid recovery and a good functional outcome. The bed rest during the time he received the chemo- and radiotherapy helped considerably in the improvement of his tuberculosis.

A definitive diagnosis demands a histopathological examination which may require a biopsy.

Get Citation

Keywords

vertebral lymphoma, tuberculosis of the spine, diagnostic traps

About this article
Title

Tuberculosis of the spine masquerading as a spine lymphoma. A case report and discussion of diagnostic and therapeutic traps

Journal

Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska

Issue

Vol 47, No 2 (2013)

Pages

189-193

Page views

211

Article views/downloads

304

DOI

10.5114/ninp.2013.33823

Bibliographic record

Neurol Neurochir Pol 2013;47(2):189-193.

Keywords

vertebral lymphoma
tuberculosis of the spine
diagnostic traps

Authors

Aleksandra Truszczyńska
Mirosława Nowak-Misiak
Kazimierz Rąpała
Piotr Walczak

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