Tuberculosis Of The Spine.

Spinal tuberculosis commonly affects children and young adults. It is characterized by spinal deformities, spasms, stiffness, tenderness, back pain, paraplegia, and cold abscess surrounding the lesion. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Staphylococcus species are found to be the causative organisms. Hematogenous spread of these species in tuberculosis to the vertebral bodies is thought to cause spinal tuberculosis. It affects more than one vertebra, intervertebral disk space, and spinal elements, leading to gibbus formation, meaning palpable deformity due to the affected vertebral bodies. Antituberculous medications are used in their treatment.