Tuberculous spondylitis, also called spinal tuberculosis or Pott disease, is tuberculosis infection affecting the bones and discs of the spine.
Symptoms may include persistent back pain, fever, weight loss, night sweats, weakness, spinal deformity, or difficulty walking in more advanced cases.
Imaging helps show which part of the spine is affected, whether there is abscess formation, bone destruction, spinal deformity, or pressure on the spinal cord.
X-rays may suggest the disease, but MRI and CT are especially important for showing the extent of infection, collections, and risk to the spinal cord.
Management usually includes anti-tuberculosis medicines, specialist follow-up, and sometimes surgery if there is spinal instability, an abscess, or nerve compression.
This entry explains the condition. The next step is having a radiologist interpret your specific scan, not a general definition.
