Tuberculosis is one of the most common diseases that affects the spine. Though it is quite common in the eastern part of the globe, it is prevalent in the Western hemisphere too. It’s incidence is high among the people who are poorly nourished, living in a crowded area or in a subnormal living condition.  It also affects the immunocompromised, elderly and the diabetic population.

The first documented case of spine tuberculosis dates back to 3000 years old Egyptian mummies. However, the first case was described in the modern era by a British surgeon by name Percival Pott in the year 1779. And therefore spine Tuberculosis (TB) is also called as the Pott’s disease. Though spinal involvement with tuberculosis is less than 1% of patients who are diagnosed to have TB, it can pose as a major problem producing neurological deficits and spinal deformities. The lower thoracic and upper lumbar vertebrae are the most commonly affected spinal region, though it affects the cervical spine and craniovertebral (CV) junction as well.

Pott’s disease (Spine TB) usually results from the spread of tuberculous bacillus from other parts of the body through bloodstream (hematogenous route). The infection reaches the edges of the vertebral bodies and spreads to the adjacent disc as well. If left untreated, the disease leads to destruction of the vertebral body and ultimately deformity and paralysis. Neurological deficits develop in 10 to 47 % of patients who have a spine tuberculosis.