Asymptomatic retropharyngeal abscess related to cervical Pott's disease

Abstract

Pott's disease is an uncommon manifestation of tuberculosis, which usually involves thoracic or lumbar vertebrae. The body of the vertebrae is most severely affected and a compression fracture is an almost inevitable consequence of the disease. A paravertabral abscess generally accompanies vertebral involvement. Tenderness over the involved vertebrae, weakness of the related muscles, and paraesthesia are the usual symptoms. In this article, we report a case of cervical Pott's disease presenting mainly with neurologic symptoms such as weakness, pain, numbness of both arms and hands, and an asymptomatic retropharyngeal abscess. (C) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.