Computed tomographic evaluation of Pott's disease in Accra.

BACKGROUND

Radiological investigations are central in the diagnosis and management of TB spine. In Ghana there is a dearth of literature on the disorder. This paper seeks to describe the CT features of the bony and soft tissue changes in Pott's disease.

METHOD: It is a descriptive report of the CT scans performed on 30 patients with proven Pott's disease from January 1998 to December 2000 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Accra, Ghana.

RESULTS

The disorder was common among children and young adults (76.7%). Chronic back pain was the frequent presenting complain (53.3%). The dorsal spine remains the site of preference while T11 recorded the highest incidence (73.3%). The vertebral body was destroyed in all the cases and the fragmentary type of bone destruction was the common observation. The incidence of cord compression demonstrated by CT was high (73.3%). Other findings were paraspinal and epidural masses observed in (66.7%) and (73.3%) respectively.

CONCLUSION

CT images demonstrated the spinal level of destruction. Improved resolution also showed detailed changes within the outlined soft tissue masses, facilitating early diagnosis and prompt initiation of therapy.