International Journal of Clinical Research

Spinal tuberculosis (STB) is an inflammatory disease of the spinal bone marrow caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis disseminated through the bloodstream to the vertebral bone. It accounts for approximately 50% of bone tuberculosis cases. The destruction of the spinal structure can lead to the formation of abscesses, which can spread as cold abscess along the fascia and neurovascular planes to distant sites [1]. Due to the lack of specificity in early clinical symptoms and imaging manifestations, spinal tuberculosis is difficult to distinguish from atypical spinal metastases, brucellosis, and other diseases, resulting in a high rate of missed and misdiagnosis. If not treated in time, it can lead to deterioration of the patients condition and even paraplegia [2]. Therefore, this article reports a case of atypical clinical manifestations of spinal tuberculosis complicated with cold abscess. The patient mainly complained of abdominal pain and had no typical tuberculosis toxic symptoms such as fever and night sweats. In the early stage, it was easily misdiagnosed as abdominal cavity disease. By discussing its clinical characteristics and imaging manifestations, it aims to enhance the understanding of spinal tuberculosis among clinicians and avoid the occurrence of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis.

Tuberculosis; Spinal tuberculosis; Cold abscess; Clinical characteristics; Early identification