Uncommon cause of cervicobrachial neuralgia: epidural abscess complicating tuberculous arthritis

A 59-year-old patient was admitted to the rheumatology department with cervicobrachial neuralgia in the upper extremities and paresthesia. The symptoms appeared 3 months ago. Physical examination showed neck stiffness with decreased sensitivity in the territory of the C4 root in both arms. There was no motor weakness or fever. The inflammatory blood markers were increased. Spinal MRI was performed showing posterior epidural collection hyperintense in T2-weighted images (figure 1) with intense peripheral enhancement extending from C3-C4 to C4-C5 (figure 2). A facet joint arthritis at the level of C3-C4 …