Choo Xin Wei, Wong Jing Wen, Abdul Malik Khiew Mohd Arif, Khoo Kai Siang, Ramanaidu Anusha, Ramasamy Anweeitha, Chang Chee Yik
Internal Medicine, Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johor Bahru, MYS.
Radiology, Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johor Bahru, MYS.
Cureus. 2025 Jan 30;17(1):e78223. doi: 10.7759/cureus.78223. eCollection 2025 Jan.
Spinal tuberculosis (TB), or Pott's disease, is a rare but serious form of extrapulmonary TB that primarily affects the thoracic spine and can result in severe neurological complications. Patients with underlying endocrine disorders, such as panhypopituitarism, are at increased risk of developing infections due to immune suppression caused by hormonal deficiencies and long-term steroid replacement therapy. We report the case of a 24-year-old Malay male patient with a known history of empty sella syndrome and panhypopituitarism on hormone replacement therapy, who presented with progressive left lower limb weakness over one week. An MRI of the spine revealed a multiloculated pre- and paravertebral collection with intraspinal extension. A spine biopsy confirmed the presence of via TB GeneXpert testing. The patient was started on anti-TB therapy. However, due to worsening neurological function, he underwent posterior spinal fusion and decompression surgery, which resulted in improved lower limb function. Spinal TB should be considered in patients with neurological deficits and predisposing conditions, such as endocrine disorders, even in the absence of classical TB symptoms.
脊柱结核,即波特氏病,是一种罕见但严重的肺外结核形式,主要影响胸椎,可导致严重的神经并发症。患有潜在内分泌疾病(如全垂体功能减退症)的患者,由于激素缺乏和长期类固醇替代疗法引起的免疫抑制,发生感染的风险增加。我们报告一例24岁马来男性患者,有已知的空蝶鞍综合征和全垂体功能减退症病史,正在接受激素替代治疗,该患者在一周内出现进行性左下肢无力。脊柱MRI显示多房性椎前和椎旁积液并向椎管内延伸。脊柱活检通过结核基因检测确诊。患者开始接受抗结核治疗。然而,由于神经功能恶化,他接受了后路脊柱融合和减压手术,术后下肢功能得到改善。即使没有典型的结核症状,对于有神经功能缺损和易感疾病(如内分泌疾病)的患者,也应考虑脊柱结核。