Pott's disease

[pots]

tuberculosis of the spine, usually beginning as a tuberculous osteomyelitis of the vertebrae and progressing to damage of the intervertebral disks. If erosion continues unchecked, there is complete destruction of the affected vertebrae. Symptoms include stiffness of the back, pain on motion, prominence of the spinous process of certain vertebrae, and occasionally abscess formation, paralysis, and abdominal pain. Diagnosis is confirmed by demonstration of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the affected bone. Treatment includes administration of antibacterial drugs such as isoniazid and streptomycin. Para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) may be used instead of streptomycin if streptomycin is contraindicated. Surgical fixation of the affected vertebrae (spinal fusion) may be required for correction of orthopedic deformities such as kyphosis that may occur as a result of Pott's disease.

Pott's disease

(pŏts)

Tuberculosis of the spine, leading, if untreated, to destruction of the vertebral bones, curvature of the spine, and paraplegia.

Pott's disease

Tuberculosis of the spine, with collapse of one or more vertebrae, so as to produce a sharp angulation and a hump-back. Also known as spinal caries. (Sir Percivall Pott, 1714–88, English surgeon).

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

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References in periodicals archive

Update on the surgical management of Pott's disease. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res.

Compressive Myelopathy caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in an indigenous background child: A clinical case located within the Amazonian endemic zone/Mielopatia compresiva por Mycobacterium tuberculosis en una nina de origen indigena: un caso clinico de zona endemic amazonica/Mielopatia compressiva por Mycobacterium tuberculosis em uma menina indigena: um caso clinico da area amazonica endemica

A diagnosis of Pott's disease was established, and the patient was started on antituberculous therapy.

This supports the theory that infection in Pott's disease originates in the pelvic organs and disseminates hematogenously via Batson's plexus to involve more superior areas of the spine in a watershed fashion.

Patients with Pott's disease present with restricted movements of the neck and pain at the back of the neck.

Tuberculous retropharyngeal abscess

Images in clinical medicine: Pott's disease with paraparesis.

Tuberculosis: it's not just a lung disease

Tuberculous retropharyngeal abscess may be due to involvement of the retropharygeal lymph nodes, secondary to pott's disease of the cervical spine.

Otorhinolaryngological Manifestations of Tuberculosis

When diagnosing tuberculosis, physicians should include Pott's disease in the differential diagnosis when radiologic findings suggest spinal infections or a primary/secondary spinal neoplastic process.

Radiological case of the month: Rachna Madan, MBBS, MD, DNB; Mahender K. Narula, MBBS, MD; Rama Anand, MBBS, MD; Punit Sethi, MBBS, MD

The efficacy of diagnostic battery in Pott's disease: A prospective study.

Extra pulmonary tuberculosis: an observational study in a teritiary care hospital, mysore

The most important amongst them is Pott's disease, or tuberculosis of the spine, which closely resembles vertebral hydatid disease.

Spinal hydatid cyst: case report with review of literature