Pott

Pott's disease, also known as tuberculous spondylitis, is a form of tuberculosis that occurs outside the lungs whereby disease is seen in the vertebrae. Tuberculosis can affect several tissues outside of the lungs including the spine, a kind of tuberculous arthritis of the intervertebral joints. The disease is named after Percivall Pott, the British surgeon who first described it.

Signs and Symptoms

The lower thoracic and upper lumbar vertebrae are the areas of the spine most often affected. The formal name for the disease is tuberculous spondylitis and it is most commonly localized in the thoracic portion of the spine. Symptoms may include back pain, fever, and night sweats.

Causes

Pott's disease results from haematogenous spread of tuberculosis from other sites, often the lungs. The infection can spread to adjoining vertebrae and to other tissues and organs nearby. The lower thoracic and upper lumbar vertebrae are the most frequently affected.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Pott's disease is made by medical imaging (radiology), using X-rays, CT scan, or MRI. A CT scan can reveal the extent of damage to the vertebrae. MRI is more sensitive than the CT for the detection of early disease.

Treatment

The treatment of Pott's disease is primarily medical, not surgical. Antituberculous therapy is the mainstay of treatment. It involves the use of multiple antituberculosis drugs, usually four, given for a long period of time.

Prognosis

The prognosis with timely and adequate treatment is good. Without treatment, the disease can cause severe health problems, including long-term disability and death.

See also

• Tuberculosis
• Percivall Pott
• Spondylitis
• Vertebrae

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