[Pott's disease of the upper cervical spine [three cases and literature review]]

ABSTRACT

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 fraction in the presence of atlanto-axial instability. Surgery is reserved in case of neurological worsening or persistent instability