Tuberculous spondylitis, also known as Pott disease, refers to vertebral body osteomyelitis and intervertebral diskitis from tuberculosis (TB). The spine is the most frequent location of musculoskeletal tuberculosis, and commonly related symptoms are back pain and lower limb weakness/paraplegia.
Tuberculosis spondylitis may affect the vertebrae, intervertebral disks, paraspinal soft tissues, and epidural space. Unlike pyogenic osteomyelitis, tuberculosis spondylitis is characterized by a subacute course and lower disease activity.
Spondylitis comprises the most common form of osteoarticular tuberculosis and results from secondary hematogenous spread from a primary focus mainly localized in lungs, lymph nodes, and other tissues.