Efficacy analysis of one-stage posterior-only surgical treatment for thoracic spinal tuberculosis in the T4-6 segments with minimum 5-year follow-up.

In recent years, with the in-depth research on spinal tuberculosis, posterior surgery alone has been praised highly by more and more surgeons due to the better correction of kyphosis, better maintenance of spinal physiological curvature, smaller surgical trauma and fewer surgical complications. However, there is currently lack of relevant reports about the efficacy of posterior surgery alone in the treatment of tuberculosis in the T4-6 segments. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical study efficacy and feasibility of one-stage posterior-only surgical treatment for thoracic spinal tuberculosis in the T4-6 segments. 67 patients with tuberculosis in T4-6 segments who underwent one-stage posterior-only surgery were included in this study. The clinical efficacy was evaluated using statistical analysis based on the data about erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Oswestry Dability Index (ODI) score, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and Cobb angle before surgery, after surgery and at the last follow-up. All patients completed fusion during the follow-up period of 6-9 months. ESR and CRP were returned to normal for all patients at 6 months follow-up. In the meanwhile, among the 27 patients combined with neurological impairment, neurological functions of 22 cases (81.48%) recovered completely at the last follow-up (P < 0.05). Cobb angle of the kyphosis was improved from preoperative 34.8 ± 10.9° to postoperative 9.6 ± 2.8°, maintaining at 11.3 ± 3.2° at the last follow-up, The ODI and VAS scores were improved by 77.10% and 81.70%, respectively. This 5-year follow-up study shows that better clinical efficacy can be achieved for tuberculosis in T4-6 segments using one-stage posterior-only approach by costotransverse debridement in combination with bone graft and internal fixation. The posterior surgical method cannot only effectively accomplish debridement, obtain satisfactory clinical results, but also well correct kyphotic deformity and maintain it.

Tubercular longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis with lower motor neuron paralysis.

Transverse myelitis typically extends two or less spinal segments, whereas longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) extends three or more spinal segments in length and may occasionally span all the segments of the spinal cord. We present a case of spinal tuberculosis presenting with LETM with true lower motor neuron-type flaccid paraplegia.

Comparison of the Clinical Efficacy of 3 Surgical Methods for Treating Spinal Tuberculosis in Children.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the safety and clinical efficacy of 3 different surgical methods for treating spinal tuberculosis (ST) in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS We reviewed the cases of 62 children with ST who were treated in our hospital from January 2010 to December 2014. In this study, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) level, Frankel classification of neurological function, pain visual analog scale (VAS) score, and kyphosis Cobb (k-Cobb) angle were dynamically monitored to evaluate the efficacy of different surgical methods. Complications in the patients were evaluated at 3 time points: before surgery (T1), after surgery (T2), and during final follow-up (T3). The average follow-up was 27.4 months. Twenty-two patients underwent simple anterior debridement alone or combined with internal fixation (Method A), 13 patients underwent posterior debridement alone (Method B), and 27 patients received anteroposterior debridement and bone graft fusion together with internal fixation (Method C). RESULTS In all 3 groups after surgery, ESR, CRP levels, VAS scores, and k-Cobb angles significantly decreased. However, compared with patients who received Methods B and C, patients who received Method A had a significant rebound in k-Cobb angle and a higher incidence of complications at the T3 time point. The overall reoperation rate during follow-up was 37.10%. Fourteen patients (22.58%) had kyphosis, 2 patients (3.23%) had tuberculosis recurrence combined with kyphosis, and other complications were reported in 5 patients (8.06%). CONCLUSIONS Considering the incidence of complications and level of postoperative biochemical indicators, we concluded that caution should be exercised in using an anterior approach to treat pediatric ST.

A Case Report of a Tragic Story of Pott's paraplegia Cured after Four Years.

Pott's disease is a form of spondylodiscitis caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is a serious form of spinal infections that can lead to terrible disabilities in case of undiagnosed and treated early. To document a case of Pott's paraplegia cured after four years. This report details the case of a patient with an undiagnosed case of spinal tuberculosis in a 55-year-old man who had complained of lower back pain and tenderness over the course of several months. The case progressed to the point that he had difficulty standing and numbness, then weakness, of the lower limbs. This patient was only treated with analgesics and antibiotics. Herbal remedies, massage and amulets also played a major role in his treatment. The patient remained bed-bound and paraplegic for four years, after which, he was referred for a thoracolumbar Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and was diagnosed with tuberculous spondylodiscitis. The patient underwent decompression surgery and started anti-tuberculous drugs. He regained his ability to walk. His lifestyle has improved and he has been living independently for eight years. In conclusion, diagnosis and correct treatment can result in a patient who was previously handicapped becoming independent once again. Medical imaging using MRI can play an essential role in the diagnosis of spinal lesions, including those present in cases of Pott's disease.

Skull base and calvarial tuberculosis presenting as chronic meningitis.

Calvarial tuberculosis is very rare accounting for 0.2-1.3% of skeletal tuberculosis. Diagnosis is also challenging in these areas due to insidious onset of presentation, low bacterial loads in these sites and unapproachable locations for sample collection. Rarely these patients may presents with features of meningitis when the adjacent meninges are involved. Here we describe a case where tubercular involvement of sphenoid, clivus, and frontal bone, who presented as chronic meningitis and diagnosis was made on the basis of radiological and histopathological findings. All the lesions almost resolved following antitubercular treatment at 5 months follow up. A high index of suspicion is needed for early diagnosis and management of this condition.

Tricortical iliac crest allograft with anterolateral single rod screw instrumentation in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.

To assess the effectiveness of tricortical iliac crest allografts with anterolateral instrumentation after single-stage surgery for thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis (TB). Fifty-six patients with thoracic and lumbar spinal TB underwent single-stage anterior radical debridement, interbody fusion with tricortical iliac crest allografts and anterolateral single rod instrumentation. All patients were given 18 months of antituberculosis chemotherapy. The patients were followed up regularly, and their clinical manifestations, roentgenogram results, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and liver function test were the results to be concerned. Radiographs were analysed before surgery, immediately after surgery, and at the final follow-up examination. Mean follow-up period was 37.5 months in 52 patients, and 4 patients were lost to follow-up. No patients had superficial wound infections, and all the incisions healed within 2 weeks. No graft fracture, collapse, or sliding was observed. The average bony fusion time was 10.6 months. Bony fusion was observed in all 52 patients within 18 months. The average degrees of kyphotic correction loss for thoracic and lumbar spine were 6.71° and 2.78° respectively. Although it took a long time to achieve solid fusion, tricortical iliac crest allografts were found to be convenient and safe to be used in spinal TB surgery. They may be effective options for interbody fusion, deformity correction and correction maintenance with anterolateral single rod instrumentation.

Profile of osteoarticular tuberculosis in children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical profile of osteoarticular tuberculosis (TB) in children. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis from 2007 to 2013. All patients diagnosed with bone TB, spinal TB or TB abscesses were included. RESULTS: Out of 1318 children with TB, 39 (2.96%) had osteoarticular TB, of which 16 (42%) had osteomyelitis, 8 (20.5%) had spinal involvement, 7 (17.9%) had TB synovitis, 2 (5.1%) had psoas abscess and 6 (15.4%) had abscesses. The mean age of presentation was 7.1 ± 3.5 years (range 2-14 years). Of the 33 cases in which a culture was done, 25 (64%) showed a positive culture. Drug sensitivity tests were done in 21 patients of which 10 (47.6%) tested were drug resistant, of which 4 (36.4%) were multidrug resistant (MDR), 2 (18.2%) were extensively drug resistant (XDR), 3 were pre-XDR (27.3%) and 1 was polyresistant (9.1%). Nine (23.1%) patients had TB in the past with a treatment duration of 8.3 ± 5.3 months. Contact with a TB patient had occurred in 10 (25.6%) cases. Associated pulmonary TB were seen in 6 (15.39%) and TB meningitis were seen in 1 (2.6%) patients. Surgical intervention was needed in 11 (28.2%) patients of which 5 (45.5%) underwent curettage, drainage was done in 1 (9.1%), arthrotomy in 4 (36.4%) and spinal surgery in 1 (9.1%) patient. CONCLUSION: Drug resistant osteoarticular TB is an emerging problem in children.

Characteristics and Management of Spinal Tuberculosis in Tuberculosis Endemic Area of Guizhou Province: A Retrospective Study of 597 Patients in a Teaching Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is an endemic disease in Guizhou. Spinal TB accounts for approximately 50% cases of skeletal TB. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics and management of patients treated for spinal TB in a certain hospital and to provide guidance for the prevention and treatment of spinal TB. METHODS: The clinic records of all patients diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis in a teaching hospital between January 2010 and December 2018 were collected. The epidemiology, clinical characteristics, imaging and laboratory findings, treatment methods, and prognosis were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: During this nine-year period, 597 patients with spinal TB were identified. There were 313 males and 284 females with an average age of 43 years. The largest number of patients fell in the age group of 21-30 years; mean time from symptom onset to diagnosis in the hospital was 17 months. Back pain was the main clinical manifestation (89.34%). The most common imaging technique was computed tomography (CT, 96.80%), followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, 84.01%). Majority of the lesions involved the lumbar spine (47.30%), followed by the thoracic spine (40.95%). 178 (29.82%) patients in this study had varying degrees of neurological impairment. 22.78% of the patients selected conservative treatment, and surgical treatment was performed in 483 patients (80.90%). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of spinal TB was generally on the rise throughout the study period. After diagnosed with spinal TB, all patients got appropriate treatment and achieved good efficacy, but most of the patients did not pay much attention to the disease and receive timely treatment. Thus, it is essential to strengthen the TB preventive strategies, improve the health awareness of residents and universal resident health examination.

Possible new evidence of pre-Columbian tuberculosis in America: Pott disease in a prehistoric Mexican statue.

The authors present a case of a probable Pott disease from central/southern Mexico, dated 300 BC to 500 AD. This case highlights the importance of iconotopsy/iconodiagnosis for a better description of the natural history of diseases, especially as a complement to morphological analyses of human remains (paleopathology) and laboratory exams (DNA or immunology testing).

Clinical study of spinal tuberculosis presenting with neuro-deficits in Western India.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Spinal tuberculosis (TB) is a destructive extra-pulmonary disease manifestation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. It is responsible for many cases of paraparesis and quadriparesis in developing countries where patients seek treatment late. The aim of this study was to understand and analyze the clinical and radiological profile of patients with spinal TB and correlate it with the anatomical site affected by it. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study of 100 cases of spinal TB admitted over a period of three years. Data on demography, clinical signs and symptoms and investigations were analyzed. RESULTS: Incidence of spinal TB was found to be the highest in the third and fourth decade of life (45%). Incidence among males was 64% and females was 36%. Low socioeconomic class (72%) and past history of pulmonary TB (34%) were found to be risk factors for spinal TB. Average duration between onset of symptoms and time of presentation to the hospital was 154±15.5 days. Patients with bone involvement presented later than those without bone involvement. Paraplegia (91%) and backache (62%) were the most common clinical presentation. Thoracic spine involvement (36%) and vertebral wedging and destruction (58%) were the commonest X-ray findings. 69% patients had compressive lesion with vertebral body destruction being the commonest cause of compression. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal TB with neurological deficits affected the thoracic spine. Compressive spinal cord lesions were the common form of presentation of spinal TB. Paraplegia with backache and neurological bladder-bowel involvement were the most prevalent neuro-deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine proved to be the most useful investigation to differentiate and localize the site of tubercular lesions.

[Intramedullary Pott's abscess: a case study]. / Abcès pottique intra médullaire: à propos d'un cas.

Central Nervous System (CNS) Tuberculosis (TB) is rare. It manifests in many forms, but the association between intramedullary abscess and multifocal Pott's disease is exceptional. We report the case of a 23-year old female patient diagnosed with multifocal Pott's disease at L2-L3 and L4-L5 based on computed tomography (CT) scan of the spine. She received antituberculous treatment. Two months after the beginning of treatment spinal cord compression occurred. Medullary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed, which showed intramedullary abscess at T4. She underwent surgery with drainage of intramedullary abscess and spinal stabilization. Outcome was favorable, during the 12-month follow-up. The association between intramedullary abscess and multifocal Pott's disease is exceptional. Treatment is based on anti-tuberculous drugs, surgery for spinal decompression and/or spine stabilization if possible.

Aspects morphologiques du mal de pott chez l'adulte congolais à Brazzaville

Objectif. Décrire les aspects morphologiques du mal de Pott chez l'adulte à Brazzaville. Patients et méthodes. Étude transversale descriptive, rétrospective menée dans les services de rhumatologie du CHU de Brazzaville, du 1er janvier 2013 au 30 juin 2017, soit 4 ans et 6 mois. Ont été inclus les dossiers des patients d'âge au moins égal à 18 ans, ayant un diagnostic du mal de Pott retenu sur la base des arguments anamnestiques, cliniques, paracliniques, évolutifs et thérapeutiques. Les variables d'étude étaient: le siège, le nombre de localisations, l'aspect de l'atteinte disco-vertébrale. Résultats. Cent dix (110) dossiers ont été retenus. La fréquence hospitalière du mal de Pott était de 6,4%. Il y avait 62 hommes (56,4%) et 48 femmes (43,6%). L'âge moyen était de 46  16 ans (extrêmes : 20-80 ans). Le délai moyen du diagnostic était de 6,6 mois (ET : 5 mois ; extrêmes: 1-26 mois). Le syndrome rachidien était présent dans 109 cas (99,1%). Tous les patients ont réalisé une radiographie standard du rachis. La tomodensitométrie a été obtenue chez 28 patients (25,5%) et l'imagerie par résonance magnétique chez 23 patients (20,9%). Un aspect morphologique typique de spondylodiscite était présent dans 76 cas (69,1%), associant un pincement discal (60%), une érosion (40%) et une déminéralisation (19, 1%). Les formes atypiques étaient retrouvées dans 34 cas (30,9%), dominées par l'aspect de spondylite dans 21 cas (61,8%). Conclusion. Le mal de Pott à Brazzaville prend souvent l'aspect d'une spondylodiscite et plus rarement d'une spondylite. L'imagerie permet de faire le diagnostic positif et le bilan lésionnel

Analysis of Treatment and Prognosis of 863 Patients with Spinal Tuberculosis in Guizhou Province.

The objective of this study was to investigate the treatment and prognosis of patients with spinal tuberculosis in Guizhou province. A total of 863 patients with spinal tuberculosis admitted to our hospital from 2006 to 2017 were included in this study. All patients underwent standardized quadruple antituberculosis treatment. Eighty patients were lost to follow-up due to a change of their contact information or noncompliance. A total of 783 patients completed the follow-up. The average follow-up period was 20.33 ± 8.77 months (range: 6 to 38 months). Among these patients, 145 patients underwent conservative treatment, while 638 patients underwent surgical treatment. All patients in the surgery group were treated with lesion removal, bone graft fusion, and internal fixation. Preoperative and postoperative standard quadruple antituberculosis treatment was administered. The clinical efficacy was evaluated according to erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), c-reactive protein (CRP), visual analogue scale (VAS), Cobb angle correction, neurological functional recovery, and interbody fusion with bone graft and tuberculosis outcome. A total of 608 patients achieved clinical cure. The symptoms, physical signs, blood tests and imaging findings were improved in 143 patients. Twenty patients showed refractory clinical symptoms, and 12 patients had local tuberculosis recurrence. Conservative and surgical treatments are the mainstream treatments for spinal tuberculosis. According to the patients' individual conditions, individualized treatments should be used to achieve good efficacy. Standardized antituberculosis treatment should be applied over the course of spinal tuberculosis.

Minimally invasive direct lateral interbody fusion in the treatment of the thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosisMini-DLIF for the thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the clinical efficacy of minimally invasive direct lateral approach debridement, interbody bone grafting, and interbody fusion in the treatment of the thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis. METHODS: From January 2013 to January 2016, 35 cases with thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis received direct lateral approach debridement, interbody bone grafting, and interbody fusion. Of the 35 cases, 16 patients were male and 19 were female and the median age was 55.2 (range 25-83). The affected segments were single interspace, and the involved vertebral bodies included: 15 cases of thoracic vertebrae (1 cases of T5/6, 2 cases of T6/7, 4 cases of T7/8, 3 cases of T8/9, 5 cases of T9/10) and 20 cases of lumbar spine (2 cases of L1/2, 6 cases of L2/3, 6 cases of L3/4, 6 cases of L4/5). After MIDLIF operation, all the patients received medication of four anti-tubercular drugs for 12 to18 months. RESULTS: The patients were followed up for 7 to 40 months with an average of 18.5 months. The visual analogue scale (VAS) at the last follow-up was 2.8 ± 0.5, which was significantly different from the preoperative VAS (8.2 ± 0.7). After MIDLIF, there was 5 cases occurred with transient numbness in one side of the thigh or inguinal region, and 10 cases suffered from flexion hip weakness. All the bone grafts were fused within 6~ 18 months (average of 11.5 months) after the operation. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive lateral approach interbody fusion technology have the advantage of less injury and quick recovery after surgery, which is the effective and safe treatment for thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.

Treatment of tuberculous aortic pseudoaneurysm associated with vertebral tuberculosis: A case series and a literature review.

RATIONALE: Tuberculous aortic pseudoaneurysm associated with vertebral tuberculosis is a rare disease but with very high mortality. We review the literature and find 19 reports with 22 patients. Here we report three cases with vertebral tuberculosis, who also have tuberculous pseudoaneurysm of the aorta. These patients were treated by different methods. We try to analyze the epidemiology, pathogenesis, presentation, and management of this disease to find the best treatment. PATIENT CONCERNS: The patients presented with different symptoms such as pain (chest, abdominal or back), fever, blood volume reduction or hemorrhagic shock symptoms. Large mass also could be observed by imaging. In addition to clinical manifestations, enhanced computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging could also help the diagnosis of this disease. DIAGNOSES: Tuberculous aortic pseudoaneurysm associated with vertebral tuberculosis. INTERVENTIONS: Three patients were treated with anti-tuberculosis(TB) drugs or combined with different sequences surgical treatment: Case 1 refused to receive pseudoaneurysm surgery and only had anti-TB drug treatment; Case 2 received thoracic spinal surgery first; Case 3 received endovascular stent grafting. OUTCOMES: Two patients (case 1 and case 2) who refused to undergo aneurysm surgery died. The last patient (case 3) underwent endovascular repair and antibiotic therapy for tuberculosis, and the postoperative course was uneventful; the patient recovered and survived. LESSONS: Once the diagnosis of tuberculous pseudoaneurysm is confirmed, surgical treatment should be provided immediately combined with anti-tuberculosis drugs. The aim of the treatment is to save lives, prevent relapse, and facilitate the return to normal life, regardless of the size of the pseudoaneurysm. The pseudoaneurysm should be treated first to prevent aneurysm rupture before the vertebral tuberculosis surgery.

Surgical Treatment of Thoracic Spinal Tuberculosis: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present multicenter, retrospective study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of different surgery strategies for the treatment of thoracic tuberculosis and to provide a reference for surgical treatment of thoracic tuberculosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study reviewed 394 patients with thoracic tuberculosis who were treated in 6 institutions between January 2000 and January 2015. There were 208 men and 186 women with an average age of 34.92 ± 13.14 years (range 5-76 years). A total of 73 patients underwent one-stage anterior surgery (group A); 84 underwent an anterior combined posterior surgery (group B); and 237 underwent one-stage posterior surgery (group C). Clinical outcome, laboratory indexes, and radiologic results were analyzed to observe the advantage of posterior approach surgery. RESULTS: All cases were followed up for about 26-60 months (average of 37 months). At the last follow-up, all patients reached bone fusion, pain relief, and neurologic recovery. There were significant differences before and after treatment in terms of the visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores (P < 0.05). Posterior approach significantly improved kyphosis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Posterior fixation is superior to anterior fixation in the correction of kyphosis and maintenance of spinal stability. One-stage posterior surgery can achieve the same efficacy as anterior-only or combined surgery, with less trauma, less blood loss, and shorter operative times. However, for wide lesions or paraspinal abscesses, severe bone destruction, and anterior and middle column defects that are too large after debridement to require long segment bone grafting, the anterior combined posterior approach is indispensable.

Noncontiguous multi-tiered spinal tuberculosis associated with sternal localization: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculous spondylodiscitis is a frequent localization of tuberculosis. Multi-tiered involvement and an association with sternal localization are rare. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of multi-tiered tuberculous spondylodiscitis with sternal localization in an immunocompetent 41-year-old Arab woman who had inflammatory bilateral sciatica L5 and S1 and a history of low back pain caused by a trauma. Radiography, computed tomography, and a vertebral biopsy were useful for diagnosis. She reacted well to anti-bacillary treatment despite the occurrence of multiple paravertebral and subcutaneous abscesses. The medullar magnetic resonance imaging control performed at 4 months, 12 months, and 1 year after the end of treatment showed a favorable evolution. CONCLUSIONS: To avoid the delay of diagnosis, especially in our endemic context, tuberculosis must be evoked usually. This will improve the prognosis of our patients.

Neurological and functional recovery in tuberculosis patients with spinal cord injury in The Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: Spinal tuberculosis (TB) accounts for approximately 1% to 3% of all TB cases and it can cause a wide range of neurological symptoms, from none to a complete spinal cord injury (SCI), resulting in complete paraplegia or tetraplegia. OBJECTIVES: To describe the functional and neurological outcome of SCI caused by TB. METHODS: Retrospective data on the admission period was combined with prospectively collected data on long-term follow-up. Primary outcome was neurological outcome in terms of motor function. Secondary outcome measures were functional outcome in terms of level of independence and community participation. Results were compared to the outcome in patients with SCI due to trauma. RESULTS: Six TB patients with complete motor SCI (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) A or B) were compared to eighteen patients with traumatic SCI. Most TB patients regained almost full neurological function (median motor score improved from 50 to 100), and reached high levels of independence, whereas trauma patients did not improve neurologically (median motor score remained 50) and reached a plateau in level of independence. CONCLUSIONS: SCI due to tuberculosis in the Netherlands shows remarkable improvement in both neurological and functional outcome, especially compared with traumatic SCI.