Unmasking the great imitators-noninfectious conditions masquerading as spinal tuberculosis in a developing country: A single-center case series analysis.

Background: The diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis often relies on clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings, particularly in resource-constrained settings. However, numerous noninfectious conditions exhibit similar clinical and radiological features to spinal tuberculosis, leading to potential misdiagnosis in the absence of microbiological or histopathological confirmation. This study aims to present a case series from a developing country, highlighting noninfectious conditions that mimic spinal tuberculosis. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on hospital records and imaging of patients diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis, lacking microbiological or histopathological evidence, and unresponsive to empirical antitubercular treatment. Patients displaying noninfectious conditions resembling spinal tuberculosis upon further investigation were included. Clinical and radiological findings of these patients were thoroughly analyzed. Results: Among a total of 23 patients observed over a 6-year period (2015-2020), various noninfectious conditions were identified as mimickers of spinal tuberculosis. These conditions included vertebral body haemangioma, ankylosing spondylitis (with or without Andersson lesion), rheumatoid pannus, osteoid osteoma, cystic hygroma, multiple myeloma, vertebral metastasis, malignant small round-cell tumor, pancreatic pseudocyst, esophageal duplication cyst, Modic changes in degenerative disc disease, Paget's disease, and psoas hematoma. Conclusion: Noninfectious spinal conditions can masquerade as spinal tuberculosis, underscoring the importance of obtaining a definitive tissue diagnosis before initiating antitubercular treatment. Particular attention should be given to features such as central lesions and the absence of soft tissue involvement in suspected cases of spinal tuberculosis, warranting a careful reconsideration of the diagnosis.

Epidemiological Insights from 1,652 Patients with Spinal Tuberculosis Managed at a Single Center: A Retrospective Review of 5-Year Data.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. PURPOSE: To report the demographic characteristics, clinico-radiological presentation, laboratory findings, and outcomes of "middlepath" treatment in patients with spinal tuberculosis from a single public healthcare facility in a developing country. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Tuberculosis is a global health problem that is endemic in developing countries and undergoing resurgence in developed ones. Spinal tuberculosis can cause disabling back pain, progressive deformity, and neurological involvement. However, there is a lack of large-scale epidemiological studies quantifying the size and severity of the problem of spinal tuberculosis. METHODS: Hospital records of spinal tuberculosis patients treated at a single center over a period of 5 years were retrospectively reviewed. A diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis was based on standard clinical, radiological, microbiological, and histopathological evidence. Patients were treated in accordance with the "middle-path" regimen; surgery was reserved for selective indications. RESULTS: A total of 1,652 patients were included. Their median age was 32.4 years, with 53% being male. Axial pain (98%) was the most common presenting symptom; 19% of patients had neurological deficit. Lumbar spine (37%) was the most common site of involvement, with a paradiscal pattern (82%) of involvement predominating. Multi-level involvement was seen in 19% of patients; skip lesions were noted in 2.8%. Transpedicular biopsy was performed in 667 patients; at least one tissue test was diagnostic of tuberculosis in 65% of patients. Forty-four patients had drug resistance to rifampicin. Surgery was required in 10.5% of patients. The "middle-path" regimen was associated with high compliance and significant improvements in pain (Visual Analog Scale score) and function (36-Item Short Form Health Survey). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm the widespread prevalence of spinal tuberculosis and describe various epidemiological characteristics of a large sample of spinal tuberculosis patients. Adoption of the "middle-path" regimen is associated with high compliance and favorable outcomes in spinal tuberculosis.

Choosing the Distal Fusion Levels in Lenke Type 1 Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: How Do the Existing Classifications and Recommendations Guide Us?

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. OBJECTIVE: (a) To compare the recommendations of Lenke and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) classifications in choosing distal fusion levels in Lenke 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) curves and (b) to analyze whether the variability in distal fusion levels influences treatment outcomes. METHODS: Hospital records of Lenke 1 AIS patients operated for single stage, posterior-only deformity correction were analyzed. Distal fusion levels recommended by Lenke and PUMC classifications were calculated and were compared with the actual distal fusion levels. The study population was divided based on whether the actual distal fusion levels were in agreement, shorter or longer than those recommended by Lenke classification. Subgroup analysis of Lenke 1C curves was done. The groups were compared with regard to the following outcome measures: Cobb angle correction, postoperative sagittal vertical axis, postoperative C7 offset, and Scoliosis Research Society-22r (SRS-22r) score at 24 months. RESULTS: The distal fusion levels recommended by the 2 classifications were in agreement in 92 of 104 cases. In all the cases with disparity, Lenke classification recommended shorter fusions than the PUMC classification. No statistically significant difference was observed in the outcome measures-whether the actual distal fusion levels were in agreement, shorter, or longer than those recommended by the Lenke classification or whether or not the recommendations for selective fusion of any of these classifications were adhered to. CONCLUSION: Lenke classification can save fusion levels without compromising on treatment outcomes when compared with PUMC classification. Variability in choice of distal fusion levels is not clinically significant at 24-month follow-up.

Frozen shoulder - A prospective randomized clinical trial.

AIM: To compare the results of arthroscopic capsular release with intra-articular steroid injections in patients of frozen shoulder. METHODS: Fifty-six patients with frozen shoulder were randomised to one of two treatment groups: Group 1, complete 360 degree arthroscopic capsular release and group 2, intra-articular corticosteroid injection (40 mg methyl prednisolone acetate). Both groups were put on active and passive range of motion exercises following the intervention. The outcome parameters were visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain, range of motion and Constant score which were measured at baseline, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 wk after intervention. RESULTS: All the parameters improved in both the groups. The mean VAS score improved significantly more in the group 1 as compared to group 2 at 8 wk. This greater improvement was maintained at 20 wk with P value of 0.007 at 8 wk, 0.006 at 12 wk, 0.006 at 16 wk and 0.019 at 20 wk. The Constant score showed a more significant improvement in group 1 compared to group 2 at 4 wk, which was again maintained at 20 wk with P value of 0.01 at 4, 8, 12 and 16 wk. The gain in abduction movement was statistically significantly more in arthroscopy group with P value of 0.001 at 4, 8, 12, 16 wk and 0.005 at 20 wk. The gain in external rotation was statistically significantly more in arthroscopy group with P value of 0.007 at 4 wk, 0.001 at 8, 12, and 16 wk and 0.003 at 20 wk. There was no statistically significant difference in extension and internal rotation between the two groups at any time. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic capsular release provides subjective and objective improvement earlier than intra-articular steroid injection.