TB Cervical Spine

A 65-year-old lady came to us with severe weakness in all four limbs. She was unable to move her hands or legs and had gradually lost her independence. Investigations, including MRI, revealed collapse of the C5 and C6 vertebral bodies due to spinal tuberculosis. A large epidural abscess was pressing on her spinal cord, leading to quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs). It was a critical situation, as without urgent treatment, the chances of recovery were very slim. After careful evaluation, we planned an anterior cervical corpectomy of C5 and C6, removal of the diseased bone and abscess, and reconstruction with a bone graft from her iliac crest along with a plate for stability.