PULMONARY AND SPINAL TUBERCULOSIS IN AN 8-YEAR-OLD BOY: A CASE REPORT
Tuberculosis in children is difficult to diagnose. We report a case of an immunocompetent child with persistent back pain and kyphotic deformity, without respiratory symptoms, and no contact with tuberculosis patients. Imaging shows evidence of thoracic vertebral destruction and dense consolidation in the right upper lobe. Tuberculin skin test, Quantiferon TB Gold, and Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra yielded positive results for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The patient was started on and completed one year of antituberculosis therapy, with recovery shown in chest radiograph and a reduction in the static kyphosis angle.