Tuberculosis of the vertebral column is a slowly developing disease, characterized by pain, spinal deformity, and occasionally paralysis.
The following varieties of vertebral tuberculosis are commonly recognized, such as a central variety, metaphysial tuberculosis (inter-vertebral articular type), an anterior or periosteal variety, appendiceal tubercuIosis, and a true tuberculous arthritis. Among these, appendiceaI tuberculosis is rare. This form of Pott´s disease may be unilateral or bilateral and may be isolated or present at multiple levels. Disk space changes and deformity are minor features, but large paravertebral abscesses are invariable. Extradural extension may lead to the development of paraplegia.
Two cases of destructive Yesions at the neural arch of 10th. and 11th. thoracic vertebra were revealed to ~be appendiceal tuberculosis. All´ cases were treated with aatituberculous medication, radical curettage and body jacket casts and made recoveries. Patients had no complaints and no evidence of recurrence.
A brief summary of the literature is submitted.
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