- Complication of systemic TB
- Often compromised host
- Sometimes known TB elsewhere
- Sub-acute/chronic pain - most commonly L/S and low thoracic spine, though can affect any segment (TB of spine called Pott's disease)
- Sub-acute fever, chills, weight loss
- Neuro deficits if cord or roots affected
- Sx related to tb elsewhere→ lungs, GI
- Objective weight loss, fever
- Pain over affected areas of spine
- Specific neuro deficits if cord or root compromise
- Xrays and MRI of affected area
- Biopsy and culture of infected material