Clinical evolution of tuberculous spondylodiscitis in Tunisia

Tuberculosis remains frequent in developing countries, and an increase in the disease rate has been recently observed in developed countries. In Tunisia, the annual incidence is close to 3000 cases. Spinal tuberculosis represents 50to 60% of all musculoskeletal tuberculosis. Three main radio-anatomical forms are described: tuberculous spondylodiscitis, also called Pott's disease, isolated tuberculous spondylitis and primitive neural arch tuberculosis. Magnetic resonance imaging and disco-vertebral puncture biopsy allow an early diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis. Medical treatment is the only reliable method to eradicate the infection. The indications for surgery are: progressive neurological deficit; spine instability; paravertebral abscesses which increase in size despite medical treatment. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of l'Acadennie nationale de medecine.