Asymptomatic retropharyngeal abscess related to cervical Pott's disease

Am J Otolaryngol. 2006 Jul-Aug;27(4):278-80. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2005.11.003.

Abstract

Pott's disease is an uncommon manifestation of tuberculosis, which usually involves thoracic or lumbar vertebrae. The body of the vertebrae is most severely affected and a compression fracture is an almost inevitable consequence of the disease. A paravertabral abscess generally accompanies vertebral involvement. Tenderness over the involved vertebrae, weakness of the related muscles, and paraesthesia are the usual symptoms. In this article, we report a case of cervical Pott's disease presenting mainly with neurologic symptoms such as weakness, pain, numbness of both arms and hands, and an asymptomatic retropharyngeal abscess.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Cervical Vertebrae*
  • Humans
  • Hypesthesia / etiology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Weakness / etiology
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / isolation & purification
  • Pain / etiology
  • Retropharyngeal Abscess / diagnosis
  • Retropharyngeal Abscess / etiology*
  • Retropharyngeal Abscess / microbiology
  • Tuberculosis, Spinal / complications*
  • Tuberculosis, Spinal / diagnosis*
  • Upper Extremity