Respiratory Medicine Case Reports
Volume 21, 2017, Pages 145-146

Delayed diagnosis of severe tuberculous spondylodiscitis in an asylum seeker; patient or doctors delay? (Article) (Open Access)

Kristensen K.L.* , Podlekareva D. , Ravn P.
  • a Department of Pulmonary and Infectious Diseases, Nordsjællands Hospital, Dyrehavevej 29, Hilleroed, 3400, Denmark
  • b Department of Pulmonary and Infectious Diseases, Nordsjællands Hospital, Dyrehavevej 29, Hilleroed, 3400, Denmark, Department of Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark
  • c Department of Pulmonary and Infectious Diseases, Nordsjællands Hospital, Dyrehavevej 29, Hilleroed, 3400, Denmark

Abstract

The still increasing global migration affects the epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) in European countries. We present the case of an asylum seeker from a TB high-endemic country, who presented with severe TB spondylodiscitis and need for emergency surgery. The patient had a history of recurrent sterile axillary and perianal abscesses for years, but TB was never properly ruled out. The patient underwent surgery, responded well to antibiotics and regained the ability to walk. After 6 month of treatment the patient was lost to follow-up. In light of the increasing migration from TB high-endemic countries to low-endemic countries, this case illustrates the paramount importance of minding TB as a differential diagnosis. © 2017 The Authors

Author Keywords

Immigrant Refugees Extrapulmonal tuberculosis

Index Keywords

Denmark emergency surgery case report perianal abscess medical history antibiotic therapy disease severity adult tuberculous spondylodiscitis intervertebral disk degeneration Article walking asylum seeker human recurrent infection delayed diagnosis migration

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85018325488&doi=10.1016%2fj.rmcr.2017.04.021&partnerID=40&md5=85a28f2cd6a8e16c689db4e2848830ab

DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2017.04.021
ISSN: 22130071
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English