A disease, usually of tuberculous origin and primarily seen in children and adults up to the age of 40, that is characterized by inflammation or decay in the vertebrae. Destruction and compression of the affected vertebrae often result in spinal curvature with resulting compression of the spinal cord and nerves. The infection can spread from two adjacent vertebrae into the adjoining intervertebral disc space. If only one vertebra is affected, the disc is normal, but if two are involved, the disc, which is avascular, cannot receive nutrients and collapses. In a process called caseous necrosis the disc tissue dies leading to vertebral narrowing and eventually to vertebral collapse and spinal damage. Spread of infection from the lumbar vertebrae to the psoas muscle, causing abscesses, is not uncommon.
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