Pott's disease

Pott's Disease

Pott's disease, also known as Tuberculosis spondylitis, is a form of tuberculosis that occurs outside the lungs whereby disease is seen in the vertebrae. The disease is named after Percivall Pott, a British surgeon. The pronunciation of the term is /pɒts diːz/.

Etymology

The disease is named after Percivall Pott (1714–1788), a British surgeon. Pott first reported two cases of spinal deformities associated with paraplegia in 1779 and concluded that tuberculous infection was the cause, which was confirmed by subsequent autopsy.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of Pott's disease include back pain, fever, night sweats, anorexia, weight loss, and paralysis. The disease can cause severe kyphosis, a condition that results in an abnormal, forward rounding of the upper back, also known as a hunchback.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Pott's disease involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, radiological examination, and laboratory tests. The Mantoux test, also known as the tuberculin skin test, can be used to screen for tuberculosis infection.

Treatment

Treatment for Pott's disease typically involves a long course of antibiotics to treat the underlying tuberculosis infection. In severe cases, surgery may be required to remove the infected tissue and stabilize the spine.

Related Terms

• Tuberculosis
• Vertebrae
• Percivall Pott
• Kyphosis
• Mantoux test
• Antibiotics

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Pott's disease
• Wikipedia's article - Pott's disease

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