A novel predictive model of perioperative blood transfusion requirement in tuberculous spondylitis patients undergoing posterior decompression and instrumentation.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop a predictive model for determining perioperative blood transfusion in tuberculous spondylitis patients undergoing posterior decompression and instrumentation. BACKGROUND: Tuberculous spondylitis is a common infection found in the spine. This condition may result in the need of surgical treatment, especially when there is a delay in diagnosis with inadequate antituberculosis drug treatment. The procedure results in high amount of bleeding on many occasions, leading to the higher rate of intraoperative transfusion. We develop a predictive model that can be used to determine blood transfusion requirement in spinal tuberculosis surgery. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 83 tuberculous spondylitis patients who underwent posterior decompression and instrumentation. The clinical characteristics of the patients were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate regression test. The impact and strength of these variables was assessed to predict the probability of intraoperative red blood cell transfusion presence based on unstandardized beta, standard error, receiver operating characteristic, and confluence of sensitivity and specificity curve analyses. Furthermore, validation of this newly proposed predictive scoring system was performed using a set of 45 patients. RESULTS: The factors that significantly affect the need of blood transfusion during posterior spondylitis tuberculosis surgery were BMI (p = 0.005), pre-operative Hb (p < 0.001), number of affected segments (p = 0.042), and duration of surgery (p = 0.003). Our predictive model showed good sensitivity and specificity values based on a large area under the curve (0.913) and strong Pearson's r testing (correlation coefficient of 0.752). Validation set also resulted a large area under the curve (0.905) and strong correlation coefficient of 0.713. CONCLUSION: BMI, pre-operative Hb, number of affected segments, and duration of surgery became the significant factors which correlated to the presence of red blood cell transfusion in patients undergoing posterior spondylitis tuberculosis surgery. This predictive scoring system can be used to further adjust blood matching and inventory, determine intraoperative blood management, and ensure the safety of surgery in a comprehensive manner.

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in the cervical spine without neurological deficit - A Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), or Forestier disease, is a condition characterized by calcification and ossification of ligaments and enthuses (ligament and tendon insertion sites), which mainly affect the vertebral column. The clinical manifestation of DISH is variable. Some patients can be completely asymptomatic, whereas others can complain of painful stiffness, decreased range of movement, and myelopathy symptoms. OPLL usually produce myelopathy symptoms. Combined of OPLL and DISH are rare case. ILLUSTRATION: A 59 years old woman patient complained of neck and shoulder pain in the last 20 years ago, with decreased neck range of motion and dysphagia. There was no gross abnormality on patient's neck and back. Cervical x ray was showing a continuous ossification extending from the anterior surface of C2 to C7 in lateral radiograph. A similar ossification was also noticed on the posterior surface of the vertebral bodies from C2 to C6 abutting the spinal canal. DISCUSSION: Despite striking abnormal appearance of cervical DISH and OPLL seen on radiologic examinations, absence of myelopathy is an indication to non-operative treatment. Presence of dysphagia was not an indication of surgery in this patient, as dysphagia was not severe and myelopathy was absent. Patient was observed during her clinical course to document the progression of myelopathy. Prophylactic surgery was not indicated for this patient, and progression of myelopathy during observation is an indication for surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Diffuse and large abnormalities in cervical area with normal neurological function is not indication for surgery. Selective treatment based on individual case.