Tuberculosis of the cervical spine

Tuberculosis of the cervical spine is a rare extra-pulmonary localization. We reported the case of a 59-year-old woman with no medical history. She consulted for a 9 weeks history of painful cervical stiffness. Neurological examination was normal. Plain radiography revealed an osteolytic lesion of the C3 body, with infiltration of adjacent soft tissues. MRI showed a compression fracture of the C3 body with a signal anomaly extending to the anterior epidural space and pre-vertebral soft tissues. First, tumoral extension assessment was done and was normal. BK's research into sputum was negative. Histological examination of a CT biopsy revealed typical granulomatous inflammation. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was retained and antituberculous treatment was started with immobilization for 12 months. The patient had a total functional recovery at 18 months follow-up, with complete radiographic bone reconstruction of C3 after 12 months.