Pott's disease of the upper cervical spine (three cases and literature review)

Sub-occipital Pott's disease is rare, but dangerous. To recall diagnostic aspects and spatially the neuroradiological ones of sub-occipital Pott's disease. We describe three patients with sub-occipital Pott's disease followed in our department from 2002 to 2007. There were two women and one man (mean age at onset: 48 years). The early clinical picture was non specific. Exploration, in addition to standard radiographies included a computerized Tomography (CT) (n=2) and MRI (n=1 and n=3). The diagnosis was confirmed histologically on a biopsy of the abscess (n=1), a bacteriological evidence (n=2) and retained thanks to argument presumption (n=3). The treatment was based on quadruple antituberculous chemotherapy with external traction (n=2 and n=3) associated with urgent surgery (n=1) because of the worsening of the neurological complications. The evolution was fatal (n=1) and positive (n=2 and n=3). Tuberculosis should be suspected in patients with chronic torticollis and residing in an area when tuberculosis is endemic. Medical treatment is based on a quadruple antituberculosis chemotherapy with traction in the presence of atlanto-axial instability. Surgery is reserved in case of neurological worsening or persistent instability.