Spinal tuberculosis: Diagnostic biopsy is mandatory

Abstract

With increasing tuberculosis incidence and clinicalload at peripheral hospitals, concomitant spinal lesions are presumed to be an extension of the tuberculous process. This assumption is dangerous and often incorrect as highlighted in the following three cases.

Atypical TB presentation is common (30%) but it is still mandatory that laboratory confirmation is made with biopsy of the spinal lesion to avoid incorrect treatment.

Three cases highlight incorrect diagnosis of spinal TB in patients with associated pulmonary TB and confirm that diagnostic biopsy of the spine is mandatory.