Differential diagnosis of brucellar spondylitis and tuberculous spondylitis based on FS-T2WI sequence combined with machine learning / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To investigate the performance of a predictive model based on fat suppression (FS)-T2WI sequence combined with machine learning in the differential diagnosis of brucellar spondylitis (BS) and tuberculous spondylitis (TS).Methods:The clinical and imaging data of 74 patients with BS and 81 patients with TS diagnosed clinically or pathologically in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2017 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, and all patients underwent spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination before treatment. Patients were randomly divided into a training group ( n = 123) and a testing group ( n = 32) in an 8 ∶ 2 allocation ratio, and radiomics feature extraction and dimensionality reduction analysis were performed on FS-T2WI sequence images. Four machine learning algorithms, including K-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF) and logistic regression (LR), were used to construct a radiomics model, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the differential diagnostic performance of each model for BS and TS. Results:A total of 1 409 radiomics features were extracted, and 7 related features were screened and included for identification of BS and TS, among which the Maximum2DDiameterColumn feature value showed a strong correlation, and there was a statistically significant difference between BS and TS patients ( P < 0.001). In the testing group, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) value of the SVM model for identifying BS and TS was 0.886, with a sensitivity of 0.53, a specificity of 0.88, and a diagnostic accuracy of 0.81; in the training group, the AUC value of the SVM model for identifying BS and TS was 0.811, the sensitivity was 0.68, the specificity was 0.72, and the diagnostic accuracy of the model was 0.78. Conclusion:The prediction model based on FS-T2WI sequence combined with machine learning can be used to identify BS and TS, and the diagnostic performance of SVM model is prominent and stable.

Lateral Extracavitatory Approach With Circumspinal Decompression In Tuberculous Spondylitis: A 5 Year Follow–Up Study

Introduction:Spinal tuberculosis has been managed with various modalities of treatment ranging from only antituberculous drugs to radical surgical extirpation. Opinion is divided on management of Potts Paraplegia with respect to surgical approach to the lesion. Results are conflicting on anterior verses posterior approaches as well combined approach. There is also confusion on to when to do anterior first or to operate from posterior first, in combined approaches. In the present study we present 10 year follow-up of our results, clinical and radiological outcomes, of Single stage Circumspinal decompression and pedicle screw fixation through lateral extracavitatory approach with anterior and posterior spinal fusion in cases of Pott's paraplegia.Methods:The study was a retrospective and prospective follow up of 30 patients with active tuberculosis of thoracolumbar spine with neurological deficit, who underwent posterior spinal instrumentation with lateral extra cavitatory approach with circumspinal decompression and pedicle screw instrumentation. Diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis was made by laboratory findings such as anaemia, elevated ESR, radiological features with typical MR imaging findings. 8 patients had multilevel involvement. Kyphosis of 250 to 550 was present. Circumspinal decompression, correction of kyphosis, anterior and posterior spinal fusion was performed in a single stage. The average follow up was 7.67 years (92 months).Results:The mean kyphosis angle improved from 320 preoperatively to 80 in early follow up, followed by a minor loss of correction of 30. Neurological recovery occurred in 28 patients out of 30 patients. 15 patients recovered from Asia Ato AIS E. 13 patients recovered to ASIAD. The visual analog scale and ASIA grade improved in all the cases. Implant failure in the form of rod breakage was seen in 1 patient but with no neurological complications.Conclusion: Drainage of abscess, debridement by extracavitatory route constitutes a less demanding, relatively safe, minimally traumatic operative technique with adequate circumspinal decompression of spinal cord, correction and maintenance of sagittal balance with relatively less morbidity is the added advantage.

One-Stage Anterolateral Debridement, Bone Grafting, and Internal Fixation for Treating Lumbosacral Tuberculosis

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and feasibility of one-stage anterolateral debridement, bone grafting, and internal fixation for treating lumbosacral tuberculosis. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: There has been no consensus regarding the optimal means of treating lumbosacral tuberculosis. The one-stage anterolateral extraperitoneal approach for radical debridement, bone grafting, and internal fixation for treating lumbosacral tuberculosis is rare in literature. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with lumbosacral tuberculosis were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent the surgery of anterolateral debridement after regularly antituberculous drugs therapy. We evaluated the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, visual analogue score, and Oswestry disability index before and after surgery. RESULTS: All patients completed a follow-up survey 9–48 months after surgery. All patients' wounds healed well without chronic infection or sinus formation, and all patients with low-back pain reported relief after surgery. All cases had no tuberculosis recurrence. Solid bony fusion was achieved within 6–12 months. At final follow-up, evaluated the erythrocyte sedimentation rate decreased from 38.1±12.5 to 11.3±7.1 mm/hr, C-reactive protein decreased from 6.2±4.2 to 1.6±1.3 mg/dL, the visual analog scale score decreased from 4.6±1.1 to 1.4±1.0, the Oswestry disability index score decreased from 50.2%±11.9% to 13.0%±6.6%, and the lumbosacral angle increased from 20.0°±4.8° to 29.0°±3.9° (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: One-stage anterolateral debridement, bone grafting, and internal instrument fixation for treating lumbosacral tuberculosis is safe and effective.

CT differentiation between tuberculous spondylitis and pyogenic spondylitis / 实用放射学杂志

Objective This study was to investigate the computed tomography(CT)features differentiating tuberculous spondyli-tis from pyogenic spondylitis.Methods The CT features in 32 patients with tuberculous spondylitis and 30 patients with pyogenic spondylitis were retrospectively reviewed,and statistically analyzed.Results In 32 cases of tuberculous spondylitis,71 vertebra were involved.In 30 cases of pyogenic spondylitis,59 vertebra were involved.The incidence of thoracic vertebra involvement in tuberculous spondylitis was 60.56% (43/71),which was higher than that in pyogenic spondylitis (25.42%,1 5/59)(P <0.05).The incidence of lumbar vertebra involvement in tuberculous spondylitis was 33.80% (24/71 ),which was lower than that in pyogenic spondylitis (61.02%,36/59)(P <0.05).The incidence of the worm-eaten type of bone destruction in tuberculous spondylitis was 9.90% (7/71),which was lower than that in pyogenic spondylitis (44.07%,26/59)(P <0.05).The incidence of the fragmentary type of bone destruction in tuberculous spondylitis was 1 9.72%(14/71 ),which was higher than that of in pyogenic spondylitis (3.39%,2/59) (P <0.05).The incidence of large osteosclerosis in tuberculous spondylitis was 52.1 1%(37/71),which was higher than that in pyo-genic sp-ondylitis (22.03%,13/59),(P <0.05).The incidence of the involved vertebral height on sagital CT scan (less than the 1/2 of the normal vertebral height)in tuberculous spondylitis was 1 6.9% (12/71),which was lower than that in pyogenic spondylits (62.71%,37/59)(P <0.05).The incidence of patchy high density shadow in tuberculous spondylitis was 50.7% (36/71 ),which was higher than that in pyoge-nic spondylitis (20.34%,12/59)(P <0.05.)The incidence of the involvement of the appendages in tu-berculous spondylitis was 25.35% (18/71),which was higher than that in pyogenic spondylitis (8.47%,5/59)(P <0.05).The inci-dence of paravertebral abnormal soft tissue with calcification in tuberculous spondylitis was 60.00%(18/30),which was higher than that in pyogenic spondylitis(20.00%,5/25 )(P < 0.05 ).Conclusion Tuberculous spondylitis and pyogenic spondylitis have some characteristic imaging features,combined with the clinical signs differentiation diagnosis can be made each other.

Atypical Tuberculous Spondylitis: A Report of Two Cases

STUDY DESIGN: Case study of two cases. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to describe atypical patterns of tuberculous spondylitis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Few reports of tuberculous spondylitis have discussed atypical cases, which resulted in a poor prognosis due to the delay in early diagnosis and proper treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 74-year-old female underwent an incision and drainage, and posterior decompression and fusion (PDF) due to tuberculous epidural abscess after vertebroplasty of a compression fracture at T12. A 52-year-old female underwent interbody fusion and posterior lateral fusion (PLF) because of aggravation of an abscess and neurologic symptoms following non-invasive intervention to treat atypical tuberculous spondylitis. RESULTS: Clinical symptoms and serological tests of the patients were improved at postoperative 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: When a patient presents with focal bony or soft tissue abnormality on an image study, the possibility of non-typical tuberculous spondylitis has to be considered when infective spondylitis or a tumor is detected. Moreover, an invasive diagnosis tool such as biopsy will be needed for proper management.

Surgical Outcome of Tuberculous Myelitis, Arachnoiditis and Spondylitis after Brain Meningitis: A Case Report

STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVES: To report a rare case of a surgically treated tuberculous myelitis and arachnoiditis patient with incomplete paraplegia. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Tuberculous myelitis and arachnoiditis is a rare disease with a high rate of neurologic deficit. This condition is treated using antituberculous medication and high-dose steroid therapy, but surgical treatment has rarely been reported and the outcomes vary. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 29-year-old female had tuberculous myelitis and arachnoiditis. The patient was treated with antituberculous medication and high-dose steroid therapy, but the treatment failed and the patient could not walk because of incomplete paraplegia. The surgical treatment was performed twice; we decompressed by total laminectomy and debrided the infected arachnoid membrane. Four months after surgery, we performed anterior interbody fusion due to the development of spondylitis with kyphosis. RESULTS: Three years after the first operation, the patient's neurologic state improved and she could walk 90 m without assistance. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we report a very rare case of surgically treated tuberculous myelitis and arachnoiditis and provide a treatment option for this condition to spine surgeons.

Tuberculosis of Spine: Current Views in Diagnosis and Management

Tuberculosis is the chronic consumptive disease and currently the world's leading cause of death. Tuberculous spondylitis is a less common yet the most dangerous form of skeletal tuberculosis. The recent re-emergence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) hints at a possible resurgence of tuberculosis in the coming years. This article discusses the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculous spondylitis, and updates material that the author has previously published on the subject. Treatment should be individualized according to different indications which is essential to recovery. A treatment model is suggested on the basis of the author's vast personal experiences.

Spinal tuberculosis; A study of the disease pattern, diagnosis and outcome of medical management in Sri Lanka.

Background: Sri Lanka has an intermediate burden of tuberculous disease. Most patients with spinal tuberculosis (STB) are managed with medical treatment alone as advanced surgical facilities are not freely available. Objective: To describe the clinico-demographic and imaging pattern of STB and to assess the outcome of medical treatment in the local setting. Design: Descriptive case series. Methods: All patients diagnosed with definite or probable STB, had their symptomatology and investigations recorded. They were followed up with anti-TB treatment (ATT) according to standard guidelines. An initial six-week tapering course of steroid was given when there was an evidence of neural involvement. Results: Of 32 patients with STB, backache was the commonest presenting feature (92%). Nine had lower limb neurological deficits. Uni-focal upper lumbar involvement was the commonest disease pattern noted in the series. High ESR (84%) and Mantoux positivity (53%) were frequent. 72% had end-plate changes on imaging. 53% had paraspinal soft tissue components. The triad of backache, high ESR and end-plate and/or paraspinal disease on CT/MRI showed a diagnostic sensitivity of 81.2%. Response to ATT was satisfactory in 87%. Poor neurological response was seen among some with large paraspinal collections or extensive vertebral damage at diagnosis. Conclusion: This study showed that backache over one month, high ESR and specific CT/MRI features helped diagnosis of STB, in the absence of definitive evidence. Medical management alone, comprising a prolonged course of ATT with an initial steroid cover when indicated, appeared to be safe and effective in the local setting for uncomplicated STB.

Tuberculous Spondylitis after Percutaneous Vertebroplasty: Misdiagnosis or Complication?

So far, there have been few previous reports of tuberculous spondylitis occurring after percutaneous vertebroplasty. We report an unusual case of tuberculous spondylitis diagnosed after percutaneous vertebroplasty in a patient who had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis for the first time. A 58-year-old woman, who had a history of complete recovery from pulmonary tuberculosis six years previously, was hospitalized due to severe back pain after a fall. Radiological studies revealed a fresh compression fracture at the T12 thoracic vertebra. The back pain improved dramatically, and the patient was discharged two days after the vertebroplasty. However, cold sweats and a low grade fever with severe back pain developed four weeks after the procedure. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a severe kyphosis and the T11-T12 disc space had collapsed with heterogeneous signal intensity. The results of the culture of the biopsy specimens were negative, and did not lead to identification of the causative micro-organism. However, the polymerase chain reaction for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was positive. Treatment for tuberculous spondylitis was started and she underwent posterior fusion and instrumentation from T9-L2 after the markers for infection returned to normal. After surgical intervention, the pain improved and the kyphotic deformity was corrected.

The NRAMP1 polymorphism as a risk factor for tuberculous spondylitis

In the present study, we analysed the association between the incidence of tuberculous spondylitis with the Natural Resistance Associated Macrophage Protein 1 (NRAMP1, also known as Solute Carrier Family 11a member1) polymorphism by studying the genetic segregation of this polymorphism and the incidence of the disease among members of the West Javanese population undergoing surgery for tuberculous spondylitis at our institution. We compared the distribution of NRAMP1 polymorphism at two specific sites, namely D543N, and 3’UTR, among subjects with pulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculous spondylitis. We found no significant differences in distribution of polymorphism between the two groups, or between pulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculous spondylitis compared to healthy subjects. However, a pattern emerged in that polymorphisms at the two sites seemed to be protective against development of tuberculous spondylitis in our study population. We concluded that in the West Javanese population, there is no association between NRAMP1 polymorphism with the propensity for development of pulmonary tuberculosis or tuberculous spondylitis. In fact, NRAMP1 may provide protection against the development of tuberculous spondylitis.

Surgical Treatment of Tuberculous Spondylitis: Retrospective Analysis of Risk Factors and 15 Year Experience of Single Medical Center in South Korea

OBJECTIVE: Despite the development of society and improvement in public hygiene, the number of cases of tuberculous spondylitis (TS) has increased recently. This study was designed to analyze the risk factors and operation methods of TS. METHODS: In this medical record-based retrospective study, there were 83 cases reviewed of instances where TS was operated in between 1996 to 2010 at one hospital. In order to observe a change according to times, the authors divided patients into three groups by five years. We used Cochran's Q test to compare between the groups. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 46.1+/-18.1 years, and 44.6% of the patients were male. The operated sites were mostly lumbar (42.2%) and thoracic (33.7%) spine. Eighteen patients (21.7%) had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), and only 15.6% had other underlying medical disorders. Between the groups, there were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, location, medical risk factors, or socioeconomic factors. The only two factors statistically significant were history of smoking and pulmonary TB. Operation methods have been changed from anterior approach to posterior approach. Visual analogue scale was improved significantly after the treatment (from 6.16 to 3.32) and postoperative satisfaction rate was 91.6%. CONCLUSION: The number of patients operated due to TS has increased, and so does primary TS without pulmonary tuberculosis. A combination of surgical operation and medical treatment of the TS tends to have more favorable outcomes.

Delayed Diagnosis of Tuberculous Spondylitis Masked by Concomitant Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infection

We present a case of tuberculous spondylitis in which diagnosis was masked by a concomitant pyogenic infection. The patient had undergone percutaneous needle aspiration of an abscess in the cavity of the psoas muscle. Early results from the culture regimen showed isolation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. After eight weeks, mycobacterium tuberculosis was grown at regimen which was cultured at the same site. Initial isolation of pyogenic bacteria, considered to be highly virulent organisms, led to delayed diagnosis and treatment of the tuberculosis.

Post-traumatic Back Pain Revealed as Tuberculous Spondylitis: A Case Report

Tuberculous spondylitis is a very rare disease, but it can result in bone destruction, kyphotic deformity, spinal instability, and neurologic complications unless early diagnosis and proper management are done. Because the most common symptom of tuberculous spondylitis is back pain, it can often be misdiagnosed. Atypical tuberculous spondylitis can be presented as a metastatic cancer or a primary vertebral tumor. We must make a differential diagnosis through adequate biopsy. A 30-year-old man visited our clinic due to back and chest pain after a recent traffic accident. About 1 year ago, he had successfully recovered from tuberculous pleurisy after taking anti-tuberculosis medication. We performed epidural and intercostal blocks but the pain was not relieved. For the further evaluation, several imaging and laboratory tests were done. Finally, we confirmed tuberculous spondylitis diagnosis with the biopsy results.

Kyphotic Angle Progression of Thoracic and Thoracolumbar Tuberculous Spondylitis after Surgical Treatment: Comparison with Predicted Kyphosis Outcome after Conservative Treatment

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective comparative study. PURPOSE: To compare the progression of the kyphotic angle (KA) in a surgically treated group with the predicted outcome of a conservatively treated group. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Late onset kyphosis is a complication of tuberculous spondylitis making its prevention a major goal of surgery. METHODS: Twenty six consecutive patients underwent an anterior reconstruction and posterior instrumented fusion in conjunction with antituberculous chemotherapy. The mean follow up was 56 months (range, 28 to 112 months). The patients were divided into subgroups based on the involved region of the thoracic and the thoracolumbar spine, initial KA, and the initial vertebral body loss (VBL(x)). The predicted KA (KA(Pd)) was calculated using the formula, KA(Pd)=5.5+30.5 VBL(x), to predict the final gibbus deformity. Kyphotic angle progression (DeltaKA) based on the radiographic measurements after surgery (DeltaKA(R)), and the predicted outcome of conservative treatment (DeltaKA(P)) with chemotherapy were compared. RESULTS: Among the subgroups of the regions involved and initial KA, the DeltaKA was radiographically superior with a reduced amount of kyphogenesis in the surgery group than the predicted outcome of the conservatively treated patients (p0.05) with VBL(x)< or =0.5 in the VBL(x) subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that in the VBL(x) subgroup, an initial VBL(x)< or =0.5 is an indication of conservative antituberculous chemotherapy without surgery.

Spine Fracture in Tuberculous Kyphosis : A Case Report / 대한척추외과학회지

The spinal kyphosis caused by bony ankylosis is ankylosing spondylitis and tuberculous spondylitis. There are some reports on spinal fractures through the fused vertebral body in ankylosing spondylitis, but there is no report of spinal fractures occurring in a fused vertebral body after tuberculous spondylitis. The authors report a case of spinal fracture at the apex of acute angular kyphosis after tuberculous spondylitis, which resulted in a spontaneous correction of kyphosis without neurological deficits. The fracture was stabilized by posterior interbody fusion using a mesh cage after a posterior vertebral column resection and posterolateral fusion.

Differential Diagnosis between Tuberculous Spondylitis and Pyogenic Spondylitis / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study OBJECTIVES: We wanted to make the early differential diagnosis between tuberculous spondylitis and pyogenic spondylitis according to the clinical and MRI findings. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: Making an early differential diagnosis between tuberculous spondylitis and pyogenic spondylitis is essential to start prompt and proper treatment. However, the clinical symptoms and MRI findings of both these illnesses can vary considerably. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Ninety-five patients (49 men and 46 women, mean age: 54.5) who were treated from January 2001 to February 2007 and whose diagnosis was confirmed by laboratory or pathological studies were retrospectively reviewed. 50 patients with tuberculous spondylitis and 45 patients with primary pyogenic spondylitis were included. The patients with combined infection or an uncertain diagnosis were excluded. We compared the medical records and MRI findings between the different groups of patients. RESULTS: The patients with tuberculous spondylitis were younger (48.2 years vs. 61.5 years, respectively) and they had a longer symptom duration (4.3 months vs 1.8 months, respectively). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and the C-reactive protein (CRP) level were significantly higher in the patients with pyogenic spondylitis (71.3/49.6 mm/hr and5.74/2.98 mg/dl, respectively). A high fever above 38 degree was more frequent in the patients with pyogenic spondylitis. Intraosseous abscess, epidural abscess, a well-definded paraspinal abscess, focal enhancement and severe destruction of the vertebral body on MRI were more frequent in the patients with tuberculous spondylitis. Four parameters such as a symptom duration longer than 3 months, no fever higher than 38 degree, a well-defined paravertebral abscess and an intraosseous abscess were selected. 42 patients in the tuberculous group had 3 or more of these four parameters. The sensitivity and specificity of these combined 4 parameters were 84% and 97.8%, respectively, for making the differential diagnosis between these 2 maladies. CONCLUSION: These diagnostic criteria might be useful to discriminate between tuberculous spondylitis and pyogenic spondylitis even without definite laboratory or pathological results.

A Case of Postoperative Tuberculous Spondylitis with a Bizarre Course

Postoperative infections following spine surgery are usually attributable to bacterial organisms. Staphylococcus aureus is known to be the most common single pathogen leading to this infection, and the number of infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is increasing. However, there is a paucity of literature addressing postoperative infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We encountered a case of tuberculous spondylitis after spine surgery. A man had fever with low back pain three weeks after posterior interbody fusion with instrumentation for a herniated intervertebral disc at the L4-L5 level. He had been treated with antibiotics for an extended period of time under the impression that he had a bacterial infection, but his symptoms and laboratory data had not improved. Polymerase chain reaction for Mycobacterium tuberculosis turned out to be positive. The patient's symptoms finally improved when he was treated with antituberculosis medication.

Simultaneous Anterior and Posterior Surgery in the Management of Tuberculous Spondylitis with Psoas Abscess in Patients with Neurological Deficits

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the treatment outcomes of performing simultaneous anterior and posterior surgery for patients with tuberculous spondylitis and psoas abscess. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Although various treatment options have been used for spinal tuberculosis, there are only a few reports on the treatment of tuberculous spondylitis with psoas abscess. METHODS: Between March 1997 and February 2006, we performed operations on 14 cases of tuberculous spondylitis with psoas abscess. All the cases underwent anterior debridement with an interbody bone graft and posterior fusion with using pedicle screws. RESULTS: Under the Frankel classification, 1 case improved by two grades, 10 cases improved by 1 grade and 3 cases demonstrated no change. The Kirkaldy-Willis functional outcomes were classified as excellent in 10 cases and good in 4. One year after surgery, bony union was confirmed in all 14 cases. The mean kyphotic angle of the spinal lesion was 12.4degrees and the mean lordotic angle at the final follow-up was 6.4degrees. Postoperative complications (superficial wound infections) were encountered in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that anterior debridement with interbody bone grafting and posterior instrumented fusion can provide satisfactory results for treating tuberculous spondylitis with psoas abscess in patients with neurological deficits.

Safety and Efficacy of Pedicle Screws and Titanium Mesh Cage in the Treatments of Tuberculous Spondylitis of the Thoracolumbar Spine

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective series. PURPOSE: We wanted to analyze the safety and effectiveness of using the newer generation metallic implants (pedicle screws and/or titanium mesh) for the treatment of tuberculous spondylitis. Overview of the Literature: There have been various efforts to prevent the development of a kyphotic deformity after the treatment of tuberculous spondylitis, including instrumentation of the spine. Pedicle screws and titanium mesh cages have become more and more popular for treating various spinal problems. METHODS: Twenty two patients who had tuberculous spondylitis were treated with anterior radical debridement and their anterior column of spine was supported with a tricortical iliac bone graft (12 patients) or by mesh (10 patients). Supplementary posterior pedicle screw instrumentation was performed in 17 of 22 patients. The combination of surgeries were anterior strut bone grafting and posterior pedicle screws in 12 patients, anterior titanium mesh and posterior pedicle screws in 5 patients and anterior mesh only without pedicle screws in 5 patients. The patients were followed up with assessing the laboratory inflammatory parameters, the serial plain radiographs and the neurological recovery. RESULTS: The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels were eventually normalized and there was no case of persistent infection or failure to control infection in spite of a mettalic implant in situ. The overall correction of kyphotic deformity was initially 8.9 degrees, and the loss of correction was 6.2 degrees. In spite of some loss of correction, this technique effectively prevented clinically significant kyphotic deformity. The preoperative Frankel grades were B for 1 patient, C for 4, D for 4 and E for 13. At the final follow-up, 7 of 9 patients recovered completely to Frankel grade E and only two patients showed a Frankel grade of D. CONCLUSIONS: Stabilizing the spine with pedicle screws and/or titanium mesh in patients with tubercuous spondylitis effectively prevents the development of kyphotic deformity and this did not prevent controlling infection when this technique was combined with radical debridement and anti-tuberculous chemotherapy.

Combined Anterior and Posterior Operation for Thoracic Tuberculous Spondylitis

OBJECTIVE : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcome of the two-stage operation for thoracic tuberculous spondylitis. METHODS : Eleven patients (4 male, 7 female) with thoracic tuberculous spondylitis were treated with two-stage operation. First stage consisted of anterior debridement and interbody fusion using rib graft and second with posterior instrumentation with fusion. Mean age was 46 years, and mean follow-up period was 18 months. All patients were treated with 12 months of antituberculotic medication postoperatively, and evaluated before and after surgery with respect to pain level, neurological status, associated lesions, hematological parameters and change of kyphotic angle. RESULTS : The associated lesions were pulmonary tuberculosis in 4 cases. There were no recurrences of infection and bone union was obtained within 6 months of the operation in all cases. Changes in the pain severity, neurological status, and hematological parameters demonstrated significant clinical improvement in all patients. The mean kyphotic angle was corrected from 17.8degrees to 9.8degrees after surgery. The most recent follow-up of the mean kyphotic angle was 12.3degrees, with a loss of correction of 2.5degrees. The preoperative VAS averaged to be 7.18 (range, 4-10). It decreased significantly an average of 1.45 (p 0.001). CONCLUSION : These results indicate that two-stage surgical treatment for thoracic tuberculous spondylitis provid safe and satisfactory results. Spine instability and kyphosis can be also prevented by two-stage operation.