Intradural Extramedullary Tuberculoma of the Spinal Cord Following Tuberculous Meningitis

Intradural extramedullary tuberculoma of the spinal cord (IETSC) is an uncommon disease which can occurs secondary to tuberculous meningitis. A 31-year-old woman was diagnosed as tuberculous meningitis after mental disorientation. Her mentality was recovered after antituberculous therapy. After 7 months of antituberculous therapy, paraplegia has developed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a mass lesion between the T1 and T12 spinal levels with arachnoid thickening which results in the development of tuberculoma. She received surgical resection of IETSC followed by antituberculous therapy and neurological function has been improved. The two years after surgical treatment, spinal MRI showed syringomyelia between T1 to L1. But, her neurological outcome was not aggravated.

Clinical Value of Procalcitonin in Patients with Spinal Infection

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluation the diagnostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) in patients with spinal infection, compare to the classical biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell (WBC) count. METHODS: All patients who were diagnosed as a spinal infection between January, 2013 and July, 2014 were included in this study. Serum PCT, CRP, ESR, and WBC count were checked at initial hospital visit and once a week serially until they were discharged. Patient's medical history, causes and pathogens of spinal infection were reviewed. RESULTS: Total 34 (16 men, 18 women) patients were included in this study. Mean age of the patients was 65.6 year-old. Causes of spinal infection were pain block procedure (14, 41.2%) and post-operation (5, 14.7%). Out of 25 patients who showed elevated initial serum PCT level, 20 patients (80%) had a combined systemic infection. 14 patients (6.7%) had a sepsis, 3 patients (14.2%) had a urinary tract infection and 2 (9.6%) had a pneumonia. 14 patients (41.2%) showed elevation of serum PCT level during treatment. Among them, 9 patients (64.3%) had a combined infection such as sepsis and urinary tract infection. CONCLUSION: Serum CRP showed more sensitivity compared to serum PCT in patients with spinal infection. Patients with spinal infection who showed elevated serum PCT level should be investigated for combined infection and proper antibiotics should be applied.