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Tuberculosis of the spine masquerading as a spine lymphoma. A case report and discussion of diagnostic and therapeutic traps
- Katedra Fizjoterapii Układu Nerwowego i Narządu Ruchu, Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego im. J. Kukuczki w Katowicach
- Klinika Ortopedii, Centrum Medycznego Kształcenia Podyplomowego w Otwocku
- Społeczna Akademia Nauk w Warszawie
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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.
Keywords
vertebral lymphoma, tuberculosis of the spine, diagnostic traps
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
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