Presentation
Low back pain. No fever. No history of respiratory disease.
Patient Data
CT chest
1. Surface markers applied to skin to identify best route for biopsy of the destructive T10 mass with paravertebral soft tissue elements.
2. Biopsy needle sited prior to acquisition of sample.
3. Biopsy needle in mass where sample acquired (Trucut 'pusher type' needle).
Histology from CT guided biopsy confirmed tuberculosis.
Case Discussion
TB spondylodiscitis is one of the commonest manifestations of TB outside of the respiratory system.
It may be relatively innocuous in presentation and radiologically have appearances similar to metastatic bone disease. The discocentric nature of the destruction, as in this case, is more suggestive of spondylodiscitis than metastases.
CT guided biopsy is one method of definitive diagnosis prior to treatment commencement.