Prediction model for spinal cord injury in spinal tuberculosis patients using multiple machine learning algorithms: a multicentric study.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a prevalent and serious complication among patients with spinal tuberculosis (STB) that can lead to motor and sensory impairment and potentially paraplegia. This research aims to identify factors associated with SCI in STB patients and to develop a clinically significant predictive model. Clinical data from STB patients at a single hospital were collected and divided into training and validation sets. Univariate analysis was employed to screen clinical indicators in the training set. Multiple machine learning (ML) algorithms were utilized to establish predictive models. Model performance was evaluated and compared using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the curve (AUC), calibration curve analysis, decision curve analysis (DCA), and precision-recall (PR) curves. The optimal model was determined, and a prospective cohort from two other hospitals served as a testing set to assess its accuracy. Model interpretation and variable importance ranking were conducted using the DALEX R package. The model was deployed on the web by using the Shiny app. Ten clinical characteristics were utilized for the model. The random forest (RF) model emerged as the optimal choice based on the AUC, PRs, calibration curve analysis, and DCA, achieving a test set AUC of 0.816. Additionally, MONO was identified as the primary predictor of SCI in STB patients through variable importance ranking. The RF predictive model provides an efficient and swift approach for predicting SCI in STB patients.

FUNCTIONAL AND RADIOLOGICAL OUTCOME FOLLOWING EXTENDED POSTERIOR CIRCUMFERENTIAL DECOMPRESSION IN THE TUBERCULOSIS OF DORSAL SPINE.

Spinal Tuberculosis ranks as one of the most common extrapulmonary varieties of tuberculosis. The study outlines the Extended Posterior Circumferential Decompression (EPCD) procedure for managing tuberculous spondylitis, a prevalent extrapulmonary form of tuberculosis. EPCD involves 360-degree dural decompression, anterior column debridement, and reconstruction following posterior instrumentation. This technique addresses both the infection and associated complications, particularly beneficial in cases with or without paraplegia. EPCD aims to improve outcomes by effectively tackling the pathology and restoring spinal stability. Purpose - to evaluate the functional and radiological outcome following Extended Posterior Circumferential Decompression in the tuberculosis of dorsal spine. A total of 10 patients were included after fulfilling inclusion criteria between July 2019 to December 2021, all patient underwent Extended Posterior Circumferential Decompression. All patients assessed using Visual analog scale (VAS), Medical Research council (MRC) grading, Frankel grading, Kyphus angle, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), X-rays preoperative, immediate postoperative period and 9 month follow up. All patients were available for follow up, in this study mean age was 55.7±17.91. Out of 10 patients 60% were female, 40% was male. VAS, MRC grading, Frankel, ESR values, Kyphus angle showed better results in terms of functional and radiological outcome at 9 month follow up compared to preoperative values. The Employed Posterior Costotransversectomy Decortication (EPCD) technique grants ample ingress to both the lateral and anterior domains of the spinal cord, ensuring an equally efficacious decompression. This approach, characterized by its diminished morbidity, steers clear of the entanglements linked with thoracotomy and laparotomy. Moreover, it fosters prompt mobilization, thereby forestalling the adversities entailed by protracted immobility. With its capability for favorable kyphosis correction, adept surgical decompression, and enhanced functional outcomes, it stands as a beacon of surgical finesse.

Clinical outcomes and surgical strategy for spine tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Spinal tuberculosis (TB) is a slow-developing disease that often causes cord compression, spinal instability, and deformity. Surgery is generally required in cases of refractory disease, severe kyphosis, neurological deficits, or lack of improvement. However, there is a lack of comprehensive evidence in comparing the efficacy of various surgical approaches. The study aims to provide a clearer understanding of the relative effectiveness of the available surgical modalities in the management of spinal TB. METHODS: This review adhered to the PRISMA statement with searching conducted until 11th April 2023. Inclusion criteria included studies involving surgical procedures for spinal tuberculosis, with relevant clinical outcomes reported. Data extraction involved the collection of information on study and population characteristics, interventions used, relevant clinical outcomes, and reported complications. The risk of bias was evaluated using Cochrane's Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies tool. RESULTS: Searching resulted in 20 cohort studies that analyzed surgical methods for spinal tuberculosis. Eleven studies had low bias and nine studies had moderate bias. The anterior approach was associated with faster perioperative duration [- 2.02 (- 30.71, 26.67), p < 0.00001], less blood loss [- 4242 (- 176.02, 91.18), p < 0.00001], shorter hospitalization [- 0.19 (- 2.39, 2.01), p < 0.00001], better angle correction [1.01 (- 1.82, 3.85), p < 0.00001], and better correction rates [11.36 (- 7.32, 30.04), p < 0.00001] compared to the posterior approach. Regarding neurological function recovery, the anterior and posterior approaches were equally effective, while the posterior approach was associated with a higher incidence of complications. The review also reported on the complications associated with the surgical approaches, and 9 out of 20 studies reported complications. The anterior approach was found to have fewer complications overall. CONCLUSION: The anterior approach is thought to have fewer complications than both combined and posterior-only approaches, but the variability of the findings indicates that the decision-making process for selecting a surgical approach must consider individual patient and disease characteristics, as well as surgeon training.

Impairments in pulmonary functions in paediatric spinal tuberculosis: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the impact of vertebral column destruction and kyphotic deformity due to spinal tuberculosis on pulmonary functions in paediatric patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 30 patients diagnosed with healed spinal tuberculosis, aged 7-18 years. Detailed radiographic measurements, including the level of involvement, kyphosis angle, Spinal Deformity Index (SDI), and drug-resistance status, were compared with various pulmonary function parameters. RESULTS: The mean age of the study group was 12.8 ± 2.7 years (range 7-17 years), consisting of 11 males and 19 females. Fourteen patients were managed conservatively and 16 were managed operatively. The mean SDI was 5.2 ± 4.7. The mean kyphotic angle was 31.3° ± 25.3. The average number of involved vertebrae was 2.6 ± 1.5. Pulmonary functions were classified as restrictive in 24 patients, normal in 4 patients, obstructive in 1 patient, and mixed in 1 patient. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) was detected in 5 (16.7%) patients, while the remaining 25 (83.3%) patients were sensitive to conventional antitubercular drugs. The correlation coefficients between the percentage reduction in forced vital capacity (FVC) and kyphosis angle, SDI, and number of vertebrae were 0.4 (p = 0.026), 0.4 (p = 0.028), and 0.19 (p = 0.295), respectively. The mean percentage reduction in FVC and total lung capacity (TLC) were 35.8 ± 15.7 and 6.2 ± 2.3, respectively. No significant association was observed between pulmonary functions and drug sensitivity status (p = 0.074). CONCLUSIONS: Paediatric spinal tuberculosis can lead to thoracic insufficiency due to progressive destruction and shortening of the spinal column, spinal growth inhibition, and kyphotic deformity. Management of these cases should focus on promoting normal lung development while ensuring disease resolution and deformity correction. Further research should explore growth conserving or growth guiding systems to address or prevent growth retardation and simultaneously provide spinal stabilization.

Relationship between TLR-2 level and clinical or radiological severity on patients with tuberculosis spondylitis in Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo hospital Makassar.

Spinal tuberculosis or TB spondylitis is one of the most common types of extra pulmonary tuberculosis, which is about 15% of all cases. It causes severe morbidity, neurological deficits, and severe deformities in the patients. The growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in culture specimens obtained from infected tissue is the single gold standard diagnostic test for spinal TB. Toll-like receptor (TLR) is one of the important receptors in the first-line defence system against microbes. TLR-2 and TLR-4 are known to be associated with tuberculosis infection. Based on this background, the researchers were interested in examining the relationship between TLR-2 levels and the clinical and radiological severity of TB spondylitis patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted with patients diagnosed with tuberculosis spondylitis at Dr Wahidin Sudirohusodo Makassar. Patients diagnosed with TB spondylitis confirmed by blood tests, GeneExpert, and magnetic resonance imaging without prior treatment were included. Data analysis were conducted by using descriptive analysis and one-way ANOVA for bivariate analysis. The mean value of TLR2 levels in TB spondylitis patients was 9.1 g/dL. TLR2 levels in paraesthesia were significantly higher than normal (P < .05). Similar trend were analyzed on the motor neurologic status with TLR2 levels in paraparesis were significantly higher than those in normal (P < .05). There is a significant relationship between the TLR2 levels in TB spondylitis and their impaired motor and sensory function. Spinal destruction has been shown to provide significant relationship with TLR2 value in spondylitis TB.

Reconstruction of complicated spinal tuberculosis with long-segment fibula transplantation: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Treating complex cases of spinal tuberculosis (STB) that involve multiple vertebral bodies and cause destruction of the spinal structure, kyphotic deformity, and acute nerve injury can be challenging. This report describes the course of treatment and 5-year follow-up of a complex case of multisegmental STB. CASE PRESENTATION: This report describes a case of tuberculosis affecting the vertebrae extending from thoracic 12 to lumbar 5 in a 60-year-old woman who suffered sudden paralysis in both lower extremities. The patient underwent emergency posterior paraspinal abscess clearance, laminectomy with spinal decompression. Partial correction of the kyphotic deformity via long-segment fixation from the T9 vertebral body to the ilium in a one-stage posterior procedure. The patient's neurological status was diagnosed as grade E on the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale after the one-stage operation. Following standardized 4-combination anti-tuberculosis drug therapy for three months in postoperative patients, the patient underwent two-stage transabdominal anterior abscess removal, partial debridement of the lesion and bilateral fibula graft support. One year after the two-stage operation, the patient's visual analog scale (VAS) score of back pain was 1 point, and the patient's erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels returned to normal. Five years after the second-stage operation, the Oswestry disability index (ODI) of patient quality of life was 14 points. There was a 4-degree change in the Cobb angle over five years. During the five-year follow-up period, the grafted fibula did not experience any subsidence. CONCLUSION: For patients with spinal tuberculosis and acute paralysis, it is essential to relieve spinal cord compression as soon as possible to recover spinal cord function. For lesions that cannot be debrided entirely, although limited debridement combined with anti-tuberculosis drug therapy has the risk of sinus formation and tuberculosis recurrence, it is much safer than the risk of thorough debridement surgery. In this case, an unconventional long-segment fibula graft, pelvis-vertebral support, was an effective reconstruction method.

Clinical efficacy of different open approaches in the surgical treatment of thoracolumbar tuberculosis: a single-center retrospective comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical efficacy of three different surgical approaches in the treatment of thoracolumbar tuberculosis. METHODS: A total of 138 patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis treated by open surgery were retrospectively analyzed. The surgical methods were divided into anterior, posterior and anterior-posterior combined. The hospital stays, amount of bleeding, operative time, preoperative, postoperative and last follow-up ESR, CRP, Frankel score, ODI, VAS, correction and loss rate of kyphosis, fusion rate and complications were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 66 months. The average hospital stay, operative time and amount of bleeding of the anterior-posterior combined group were higher than other groups (P < 0.05). ESR and CRP of all patients were reduced postoperatively (P < 0.05). No significant difference among the three groups was found in the postoperative correction angle of kyphosis (P < 0.05), while the pre- and postoperative Cobb angle as well as correction rate had significant differences. The posterior approach could achieve better correction, and the loss of correction was more in the anterior group, 40.9 percent of patients performed correction loss. The Frankel score, VAS and ODI were significantly reduced among the three groups, and the incidence rate of complications of the anterior approach was lower than the other groups, with a significant difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The anterior approach has more advantages and fewer complications, which is supposed to give preference to and could not be replaced by the posterior and anterior-posterior combined approach.

Application of combined anterior and posterior approaches for the treatment of cervical tuberculosis with anterior cervical abscess formation and kyphosis using a Jackson operating table: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: There have been insufficient reports to date regarding the treatment of cervical spinal tuberculosis, and the optimal surgical approaches to treating this condition have yet to be established. CASE REPORT: This report describes the treatment of a case of tuberculosis associated with a large abscess and pronounced kyphosis through the use of a combined anterior and posterior approach with the aid of the Jackson operating table. This patient did not exhibit any sensorimotor abnormalities of the upper extremities, lower extremities, or trunk, and presented with symmetrical bilateral hyperreflexia of the knee tendons, while being negative for Hoffmann's sign and Babinski's sign. Laboratory test results revealed an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 42.0 mm/h and a C-reactive protein (CRP) of 47.09 mg/L. Acid-fast staining was negative, and spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed the destruction of the C3-C4 vertebral body and a posterior convex deformity of the cervical spine. The patient reported a visual analog pain score (VAS) of 6, and exhibited an Oswestry disability index (ODI) score of 65. Jackson table-assisted anterior and posterior cervical resection decompression was performed to treat this patient, and at 3 months post-surgery the patient's VAS and ODI scores were respectively reduced to 2 and 17. Computed tomography analyses of the cervical spine at this follow-up time point revealed good structural fusion of the autologous iliac bone graft with internal fixation and improvement of the originally observed cervical kyphosis. CONCLUSIONS: This case suggests that Jackson table-assisted anterior-posterior lesion removal and bone graft fusion can safely and effectively treat cervical tuberculosis with a large anterior cervical abscess combined with cervical kyphosis, providing a foundation for future efforts to treat spinal tuberculosis.

Single-Posterior Revision Surgery for Recurrent Thoracic/Thoracolumbar Spinal Tuberculosis With Kyphosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The treatment of thoracic/thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis (STB) remains challenging. The spinal deformity, long disease history, heterogeneous lesion, and poor drug response make the treatment of recurrent and kyphosis cases even more difficult. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of single-posterior revision surgery in patients with recurrent thoracic/thoracolumbar STB and kyphosis. METHODS: Patients with recurrent thoracic/thoracolumbar STB with kyphosis and treated with single-posterior debridement, osteotomy, correction, bone graft, and fusion in our center from 2009 to 2019 were enrolled. The clinical data, radiographs, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) at different stages were collected. ESR, kyphotic angle, Visual Analog Scale, and neurological functions were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 27 patients (16 male, 11 female) with an average age of 48.4 ± 13.0 years were included. The average surgery time was 320.6 ± 46.4 minutes, and the average estimated blood loss was 1470.6 ± 367.4 mL. From admittance to the latest follow-up, the average Visual Analog Scale significantly reduced from 5.6 ± 1.3 to 0.5 ± 0.7, the average ESR was improved from 69.4 ± 15.8 mm/h to normal, and the average kyphotic angle was corrected from 66.6° ± 11.7° to 34.5° ± 6.6°. For patients with preoperative neurological deficits, their neurological functions were improved to normal. In drug susceptibility tests, 70.5% (11/17) of specimens had bacteria resistant to at least 1 first-line drug. CONCLUSION: Single-posterior debridement, osteotomy, correction, bone graft, and fusion are effective and safe in the treatment of recurrent thoracic/thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis with kyphosis. The drug treatment of recurrent spinal tuberculosis should be carefully tailored.

History of Evolution of Posterolateral Approaches to the Thoracic Spine: From Cure of Pott's Disease to Epidural Tumor Resection.

Since the end of the nineteenth century, the wide dissemination of Pott's disease has ignited debates about which should be the ideal route to perform ventrolateral decompression of the dorsal spine in case of paraplegia due to spinal cord compression in tuberculosis spondylitis. It was immediately clear that the optimal approach should be the one minimizing the surgical manipulation on both neural and extraneural structures while optimizing the exposure and surgical maneuverability on the target area. The first attempt was reported by Victor Auguste Menard in 1894, who described, for the first time, a completely different route from traditional laminectomy, called costotransversectomy. The technique was conceived to drain tubercular paravertebral abscesses causing paraplegia without manipulating the spinal cord. Over the following decades, many other routes have been described all over the world, thus demonstrating the wide interest on the topic. Surgical development has been marked by the new technical achievements and by instrumental/technological advancements, until the advent of portal surgery and endoscopy-assisted techniques. In this article, the authors retraced the milestones of this history up to the present days, through a systematic review on the topic.

[Multilevel tuberculous spondylitis]. / Espondilitis tuberculosa multinivel.

A case of a 20-year-old man with multilevel non-contiguous tuberculous spondylitis (cervical, dorsal 6, dorsal 10 and lumbar) is presented. In the context of disseminated tuberculosis in an HIV-negative patient with serious compromise of his general condition and multiple locations of the disease, some of these with fistulas that secreted caseum. The acute paraplegia led, considering the sensory level at dorsal 6, to a first urgent decompression surgery via the posterior approach. A scheduled surgery was then performed, first in the cervical region via the anterior approach, with corpectomy, placement of a vertebral body replacement plus autologous graft and plate with screws. Subsequently, dislocation of dorsal level 6 was evidenced backwards, compressing the spinal cord and, given the mechanical instability, a third surgical stage was indicated by posterior approach, which included reduction, decompression and fixation, resolving the three levels by posterior approach with bars and screws. The surgical, medical and physiotherapy treatment of this rare form of Pott's disease was successful, with recovery of his mechanical stability and progressive recovery of his neurological status. The surgical, medical and physiotherapy treatment of this rare form of Pott's disease was successful, with recovery of his mechanical stability and progressive recovery of his neurological status.

Se presenta el caso de un varón de 20 años con espondilitis tuberculosa multinivel no contigua (cervical, dorsal 6, dorsal 10 y lumbar). Se trata de un paciente HIV negativo con tuberculosis diseminada con grave compromiso de su estado general y múltiples localizaciones de la enfermedad. Algunas tenían fistulas que secretaban caseum. El paciente presentó paraplejía aguda que requirió, teniendo en cuenta el nivel sensitivo a nivel dorsal 6, una primera cirugía urgente de descompresión por vía posterior. Luego se efectuó la cirugía programada. En primera instancia, la región cervical por vía anterior, con corporectomía, colocación de reemplazo de cuerpo vertebral más injerto autólogo y placa con tornillos. Posteriormente se evidenció luxación del nivel dorsal 6 hacia atrás comprimiendo la médula espinal y, dada la inestabilidad mecánica, se indicó un tercer tiempo quirúrgico por vía posterior que comprendió reducción, descompresión y fijación, resolviendo los tres niveles por vía posterior con barras y tornillos. El tratamiento quirúrgico, médico y kinésico de esta forma poco frecuente del mal de Pott fue exitoso, con recuperación de su estabilidad mecánica y progresiva recuperación de su estado neurológico.

Two-stage treatment for severe spinal kyphotic deformity secondary to tuberculosis: halo-pelvic traction followed by a posterior-only approach correction.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Several surgical procedures are used to treat tuberculous kyphosis. However, the treatment of extreme spinal kyphosis is challenging, and associated with various complications. Halo traction has been used as an adjunctive method in the treatment of severe spinal deformities. However, there are few reports about the effectiveness of halo-pelvic traction (HPT) for the treatment of extreme spinal kyphosis secondary to tuberculosis. This study evaluated the effectiveness of halo-pelvic traction followed by a posterior-only approach correction in the treatment of severe spinal kyphosis secondary to tuberculosis. METHODS: The records of 19 patients with severe spinal kyphosis secondary to tuberculosis were retrospectively reviewed. All 19 patients were treated with a two-stage approach: HPT combined with posterior fusion surgery by a posterior-only approach. Radiographic parameters were measured and evaluated. America Spinal Injury Association grade (ASIA), Scoliosis Research Society outcome (SRS-22) score, and complications were also evaluated. RESULTS: There were 9 males and 10 females, with an average age of 29.7 years at the time of surgery. The average HPT duration was 10.4 weeks. The mean kyphosis angle decreased from 131.40 ± 10.7° pre-traction to 77.1 ± 7.4° post-traction (P < 0.01). The traction correction rate was 41.3%. The mean postoperative kyphosis angle was 65.7 ± 8.5°, and the surgical correction rate was 8.7%. Of the total correction, 82.6% was the result of HPT. At a mean follow-up of 26.5 months, the average kyphosis correction loss was 2.9°. The mean sagittal balance was 11.1 ± 45.2 mm before traction, - 25.0 ± 37.4 mm after traction, 7.0 ± 13 mm after surgery, and 2.8 ± 9.6 mm at the final follow-up. The mean preoperative SRS-22 score was 3.0 and postoperative was 4.2 (P < 0.01). The neurological status of most patients was improved. The total complication rate was 15.7%, including 1 neurological and 2 non-neurological complications. CONCLUSIONS: HPT is effective in the management of severe spinal kyphotic deformity secondary to tuberculosis. Preoperative HPT can greatly reduce global kyphosis, and the need for corpectomy.

Cervical Pott's disease: case report and review of the literature.

Tuberculosis is a major public health problem in the world. Spinal tuberculosis (Pott disease) is a frequently encountered extrapulmonary form of the disease. Cervical spinal tuberculosis is relatively rare. We report the case of a 66-year-old patient admitted for cervical Pott's disease managed surgically and the positive outcome. A patient with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis present 3 months ago persistent neck pain with tingling and heaviness in both upper limbs. The neurological examination was normal without any sensory or motor deficit. Spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a lesion centered on the vertebral body of C4 with spinal cord compression and epiduritis without signs of spinal cord injury. The patient underwent a corpectomy of C3 and C4 with an iliac graft and anterior cervical plate. The anatomopathological examination revealed a Pott disease. He was therefore put on antituberculous chemotherapy for 12 months. Three months later the neck pain and tingling disappeared in the upper limbs. Cervical Pott's disease is relatively rare. Surgical management is indicated in the case of spinal instability or spinal cord compression.

Treatment response and complications during management of Pott's spine.

The global incidence of TB in 2016 was 10.4 million and India accounts for a quarter of the global burden of TB. It is estimated that there are 2.79 million people with TB in India. About 10% of extra pulmonary TB involves bone and joints. Spinal TB accounts for half the cases of skeletal TB. The incidence of spinal TB is 1-4% of total TB cases, then it is estimated that only in India approximately 60,000 spinal TB cases exist. To report the pattern of recovery and predictors of outcome of Pott's spine. The intervention comprised of four drug antitubercular treatment, rest, immobilization, and ultrasonography or computerized tomography guided aspiration or biopsy as indicated outcome measures were six months Nurick grade, and mRS and complications like drug induced hepatitis (DIH) and paradoxical worsening. Seventy-three patients with Pott's spine, median age 36 (11-73) years, 32 (43.8%) females were included. The neurological signs were present in 44 (64.4%) patients. At six months, median Nurick grade improved from 4 to 2 and;and 70% patients had a good outcome as defined by mRS.The predictors of poor outcome were weight loss, non-ambulatory state on admission and paradoxical worsening. It is concluded that neurological involvement in Pott's spine was present in 64% patients, paradoxical worsening (deterioration in symptoms after one month of ATT) in 11% and DIH in 16%. Weight loss, non-ambulatory state on admission and paradoxical worsening predicted poor outcome.

Study on the expression level of NF-κB and clinical evaluations in spinal tuberculosis patients.

Spinal tuberculosis or tuberculous spondylitis is one of the most common types of skeletal tuberculosis. Complications of the spine and spinal cord tuberculosis include destruction of the vertebrae, deformity, and paraplegia. Since in some patients, the clinical manifestations of tuberculosis are unusual and timely diagnosis and treatment of this disease can prevent its serious consequences, so in the present study, some cases of rare manifestations of tuberculosis were investigated. The expression of the NF-κB gene in these patients was also evaluated. In this regard, 36 patients with spinal tuberculosis and 30 healthy individuals (as a control group) were assessed. Clinical symptoms, imaging, laboratory tests, pathology, and response to treatment related to patients with spinal tuberculosis and spinal cord tuberculosis were evaluated. NF-κB expression was also evaluated using the PCR technique in peripheral white blood cell samples. The obtained results were analyzed using SPSS ver. 16, χ2 and T-test statistical methods. Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric tests were used to analyze non-parametric data. The results showed that out of 36 cases of spinal tuberculosis, 29 cases had spinal tuberculosis, five cases had tuberculous radiculomyelitis, one case had spinal intramedullary tuberculoma, and one case had syringomyelia. 52.78% of patients were male, and 70% of cases were observed between the ages of 35 and 55 years. Fever and back pain were seen in more than 80% of cases. The study of NF-κB expression in the control and case groups showed that the NF-κB expression in the case group increased compared to the control group. This increase was statistically significant (P = 0.0071). In general, in the present study, the methods of clinical diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis were evaluated. Also, the amount of NF-κB transcription factor was evaluated as an effective genetic factor in the diagnosis of this disease.

Isolated Posterior Instrumentation for Selected Cases of Thoracic and Lumbar Spinal Tuberculosis without Radical Debridement.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis treated with isolated posterior instrumentation without radical debridement. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed 73 patients with thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis who were treated using isolated posterior instrumentation without radical debridement in our hospital between January 2012 to December 2019. The patient group was composed of 42 men and 31 women with a mean age of 67.3 ± 8.6 years. The tuberculosis spine instability score (TSIS) was used to evaluate spine stability. All patients received chemotherapy for 18 months after surgery. The time of surgery, blood loss, visual analogue score (VAS), kyphosis angle, Oswestry disability index (ODI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Frankel grading, SF-36 scores, and local recurrence and complications were analyzed to evaluate the efficacy of isolated posterior instrumentation surgery in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months (mean 14 ± 3.2 months). The mean surgical time was 1.2 ± 1.4 h (range, 1.2-1.6 h), and mean blood loss was 107 ± 18 mL. The postoperative symptoms were obviously relieved. The VAS, kyphosis angle, DI, and ESR decreased, respectively, from 8.24 ± 1.32, 19.82 ± 3.42, 46.25 ± 3.62, and 49.64 ± 17.61 to 1.12 ± 0.21, 7.14 ± 0.81, 20.17 ± 5.11, and 0.35 ± 1.13 at final follow-up. In comparison to preoperative values, SF-36 scores were significantly improved at final follow-up and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). All patients achieved neurological recovery at the final follow-up. There were no recurrences or complications in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: Isolated posterior instrumentation without radical debridement is a suitable minor surgical trauma that offers a remarkable advantage of effective pain relief, improvement in neurological function and performance status, and no local recurrence for selected patients with thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.

A 27-Year-Old Woman Diagnosed with Tuberculous Spondylitis, or Pott Disease, During Pregnancy: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Tuberculous spondylitis, or Pott disease, includes vertebral body osteomyelitis and intervertebral discitis following infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and can present with vertebral collapse and back pain. This report is of a 27-year-old woman diagnosed with tuberculous spondylitis, or Pott disease, during pregnancy. CASE REPORT A 27-year-old female, in her first pregnancy and at 29 weeks of gestation, presented to the Emergency Department with worsening severe neck and back pain for the past 5 months. Post-gadolinium contrast T1-weighted diffusion magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated multiple soft tissue spinal lesions (T2-T4). Computed tomography-guided biopsy showed a central caseous necrosis enclosed by a granuloma containing a wide array of cells comprising epithelioid cells, Langhans giant cells, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. Ziehl-Neelsen staining was positive for acid-fast bacilli. The final diagnosis was consistent with Pott disease. The patient received anti-tuberculosis medications, her symptoms improved over time, and she delivered vaginally at term. At a 16-month follow-up, her symptoms had improved, and she returned to her normal daily activities. There were no complications arising from the use of gadolinium contrast in the mother or toddler. CONCLUSIONS This report has highlighted the importance of imaging of the spine in the diagnosis of causes of severe back pain. This rare presentation of Pott disease in pregnancy has shown the challenges in diagnosis and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and management so that treatment protects both the mother and fetus.

One-Stage Posterior Vertebral Column Resection in the Treatment of Adolescent Thoracic and Lumbar Tuberculosis Complicated With Severe Kyphotic Deformity.

BACKGROUND: Our study aims to investigate the clinical outcome of 1-stage posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR) for adolescent thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis with severe kyphotic deformity (Cobb angle≥60°). METHODS: Between January 2008 and January 2016, we recorded 16 (9 male, 7 female) adolescent cases of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis complicated with severe kyphotic deformity treated by 1-stage PVCR (average age: 15.38 ± 1.54 years; range: 13-18 years). The Cobb angle of kyphosis was 64.56° ± 3.41°. According to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification, all patients were classified preoperatively. The lesions involved T4-T11 in 10 cases and T12-L2 in 6 cases. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 19.06 ± 11.42 months (range: 12-48 months). Based on ASIA classification, postoperative grades were significantly increased compared with preoperative grades (P < 0.05), The mean Cobb angle was significantly corrected to 20.25° ± 13.83° at 1 week after surgery, when compared with preoperative Cobb angle (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in Cobb angle between 1-week after operation and the last follow-up (20.69° ± 13.83°) (P > 0.05). All the patients achieved bony fusion at a mean time of 14 months (range: 10-20 months) postoperatively. No fixation loosening, displacement, or fracture was observed during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: One-stage PVCR is an effective surgical method for the treatment of adolescent thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis with severe kyphotic deformity, which can completely remove the lesion, effectively correct the kyphosis deformity, and prevent related complications.

Does computed tomography-guided percutaneous catheter drainage is effective for spinal tuberculous abscess: a midterm results.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PURPOSE: To evaluate an effectiveness and report a midterm clinical outcome in pain and neurological status in spinal tuberculous abscess after treated by CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Spinal tuberculosis is one of the destructive forms of tuberculosis infection, which can cause undesirable consequences. The gold standard of surgical treatment of spinal tuberculosis with tuberculous abscess is radical debridement, abscess drainage, and bone grafting of the defect via anterior approach. However, this treatment may lead to several serious complications. CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage is an alternative procedure for this condition and may reduce the serious complications from standard surgical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical record of the patients with spinal tuberculosis with tuberculous abscess who underwent CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage (CT-guided PCD) from 2015 to 2021. The visual analog pain scale (VAS), Frankel grading scale, duration of drainage, amount of spinal tuberculous abscess, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (mean age 44 years old) were included in the study. All patients were followed up for 24 to 72 months with an average of 36 months. Level involvements were mostly found in L1-L2 followed by L2-L3 and T12-L1 levels. A 14-Fr catheter was the mostly use followed by 16-Fr catheter. Amount of abscess drainage ranged from 110 to 2,490 ml (mean 599 ml). The drainage duration ranged from 6 to 42 days (mean 17 days). Additional surgery was performed in three patients due to subsequent mechanical instability developed despite successful drainage of abscess. At the last follow-up, VAS, Frankel grading scale were improved significantly in all patients without complications. CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage is a safe and effective alternative procedure in the treatment of spinal tuberculous abscess patients with high success rate, less complications, and satisfied midterm outcomes.

Osteotomized debridement versus curetted debridement in posterior approach in treating thoracolumbar tuberculosis: a comparative study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare osteotomized debridement (OD) with traditional curetted debridement (CD) in treating thoracolumbar tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: A total of 188 patients were diagnosed with active thoracolumbar TB and underwent one-stage posterior surgery at our institution. Of the 188 patients, 85 patients were treated with OD, and 103 patients were treated with traditional CD. The patient information, laboratory results, imaging findings, and clinical effectiveness were, respectively, compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Group OD consumed less operation time and blood loss than group CD (P < 0.05 for both values). No significant difference in hospitalization time was found between the two groups (P > 0.05). The values of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in both groups returned to the normal range within one month postoperatively. All patients had significant improvement in visual analog scale (VAS) and oswestry disability index (ODI) postoperatively. The mean fusion time in group OD was shorter than that in group CD (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in preoperative kyphotic angle between the two groups (P > 0.05), but group OD showed less correction loss than group CD at the final follow-up (P < 0.05). The rate of recurrence and surgery-related complications in group OD was lower than group CD. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior OD, reconstruction with titanium mesh cages (TMCs), and instrumentation is feasible and effective in treating thoracolumbar TB. Compared with the traditional CD, OD can achieve radical lesion removal, more effective kyphosis correction, lower recurrence rate, and fewer complications.