Thoracic Spinal Tuberculosis Research Articles

The role of single-stage posterior debridement, interbody fusion with titanium mesh cages and short-segment instrumentation in thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.

The aim of this paper was to retrospectively analyze the clinical efficacy and feasibility of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis treated by single-stage posterior debridement, interbody fusion with titanium mesh cages (TMC), and combined short-segment instrumentation. Fifteen patients with no more than two vertebral bodies involving thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis were collected from January 2006 to January 2010, performed by single-stage posterior debridement, interbody fusion with TMC and posterior short-segment fixation. The clinical efficacy was evaluated based on the data of the 10-point Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), neurological status, kyphosis angle, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein, which were collected at a certain time. The average duration of surgery was 135 minutes. All the patients were followed up for a period ranging from 18 to 48 months (mean 28.9±6.44 months). The VAS score was improved from 8.47±1.13 (range 7-10) before surgery to 2.1±1.7 (range 0-2) after surgery. Correction of segmental kyphotic deformity was 24.2±6.59°. Neither the postoperative change of the position of titanium mesh cage nor any posterior instrumentation failure was recorded. The situation of 13 patients with incomplete neurologic lesions before surgery was improved after surgery. Patients with thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis can be successfully treated by posterior debridement, interbody fusion with TMC combining short-segment instrumentation. The presence of the TMC anteriorly at the site of tubercular spondylitis has no negative influence on the course of infection healing, and additionally they stabilize the affected segment maintaining sufficient sagittal profile.

Treatment of mono-segmental thoracic spine tuberculosis with one-stage posterior focus debridement and internal fixation of inter-centrum non-structural bone grafting

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and feasibility of treatment of mono-segmental thoracic spine tuberculosis with one-stage posterior focus debridement and internal fixation of inter-centrum non-structural bone grafting. Methods Retrospective study of patients with mono-segmental thoracic spine tuberculosis who underwent surgery in our hospital from January 2010 to January 2013 was conducted. 27 patients were involved in the study, including 16 male patients and 11 female patients. The age of patients is from 23 to 69 (average age 40.3). 22 patients suffered from combined spinal cord dysfunction. For the classification of ASIA, 2 cases were of Grade B, 8 cases were of Grade C and 12 cases were of Grade D. All patients had obvious bone destruction in thoracic spine shown on CT and MRI before the operation. All patients were given anti-tuberculosis drugs (Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol, Streptomycin) for 2-3 weeks, preoperatively. And all patients underwent one-stage posterior focus debridement, and bone particles gained from partial decompression and spina iliaca posterior superior bone particles were planted among the centrum. Pedicle screw fixation was conducted internally. Thoracic vertebra X-ray film and CT were rechecked per 3 months after the operation. Bone grafting fusion and physiological curvature change of thoracic vertebra were evaluated. Results All patients were followed up for 12-24 months with the average time of 21.7±2.3 months. The operating time was 110-190 min (average time 167±35 min) and the bleeding amount during the surgery was 350-700 ml (490±160 ml on the average). The bone grafted in centrum achieved bone fusion with the average fusion time of 6.5±2.4 months. The neurological function was improved for all patients, including 19 cases (Grade 1 improvement) and 3 cases (Grade 2 improvement). The preoperative and postoperative Cobb angles of thoracic vertebra were 47°±11° and 41°±9°, respectively. And it was 43°±10° at the final followup period. Conclusion Based on the standardized treatment of antituberculosis drugs and strong fixation with pedicle screw and rod, one-stage posterior focus debridement and internal fixation of inter-centrum non-structural bone grafting are effective and feasible to treat mono-segmental thoracic spine tuberculosis. Key words: Thoracic vertebrae; Tuberculosis; Internal fixators

Role of Single Stage Posterior Pedicle Screw Fixation and Transpedicular Decompression with Chemotherapy, in Treatment of Thoracic, Thoracolumbar, and Lumbar Spinal Tuberculosis

Introduction Tuberculosis of spine being an anterior disease, anterior decompression, and fixation has been long considered as the gold standard. Recently, the posterior approach surgery has gained popularity, based on the principle of adequate debridement and stable fixation with much lower complication rates. This retrospective study aims at evaluating the role of a posterior stabilization with transpedicular posterior alone decompression for tuberculosis of spine. Patients and Methods A total of 55 patients surgically treated with posterior pedicle screw fixation and transpedicular decompression along with chemotherapy for tuberculosis of spine between January 2009 and May 2013 and had a minimum of 12 months' follow-up were included in the study. Their functional outcome (VAS score), neurological outcome (ASIA grading) and radiological outcome (X-ray and MRI) were assessed. Patients with kyphotic angle > 30 degrees, more than three contiguous discal involvement and multifocal lesions were excluded from the study. Results Mean age of patients was 47.2 years. Thoracic spine was involved in 29, thoracolumbar in 16, and lumbar in 10 patients. Mean follow-up was of 23.2 months. Most common indication for surgery was instability pain. VAS score improved from an average of 9.2 to 2.4 in postoperative period and 3.2 at follow-up. Neurological improvement was seen in all patients with neurological deficits preoperatively. Mean kyphosis angle was 20.6 ± 4.8 degrees and was corrected postoperatively to 7.4 ± 3.2 degrees (> 50%). At the latest follow-up, there was a mean loss of correction of 3.1 degrees resulting in 6.1 degrees of final correction. Bony fusion was achieved in 73% patients with no patient having any clinical signs of pseudoarthrosis. Conclusion Posterior stabilization and transpedicular decompression have shown an improvement in the functional outcome and the neurological status in most of the patients without the need of an anterior decompression and fusion. Good maintenance of spinal alignment and fusion along with resolution of the inflammatory process on MRI can be satisfactorily attained through posterior stabilization and transpedicular decompression when accompanied by chemotherapy. However, further follow-up is necessary to monitor for possible disease recurrence or implant failure.

Surgical treatment for spinal tuberculosis with bilateral paraspinal abscess or bilateral psoas abscess: one-stage surgery.

This was a prospective study on the clinical outcomes of single-stage surgery for thoracic and lumbar spine tuberculosis patients with bilateral paraspinal or bilateral psoas abscesses. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of, indications for, and clinical effects of single-stage posterior surgery for the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis with bilateral paraspinal or bilateral psoas abscesses. An increasing number of articles have been published on the use of single-stage surgery for spinal tuberculosis; however, none of these articles have discussed the use of such surgery in patients with bilateral abscesses. Between January 2003 and January 2011, 41 patients with thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis and bilateral paraspinal or bilateral psoas abscesses were treated with single-stage posterior surgery. All of the patients were treated preoperatively with 1-2 weeks of antituberculosis drugs. All patients were managed postoperatively with standard courses of chemotherapy with triple or quadruple antituberculosis drugs. The clinical symptoms, complications, and laboratory and image indicators were recorded. There were no local recurrences except in one L3-L4 tuberculosis patient. Two patients presented with extraspinal tuberculosis in the third year. There were no incision complications. Bone fusion was observed 6 months after the operation. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was normal at 3 weeks-3 months postoperatively. There were no internal fixation failures. The internal fixations in 6 young patients were removed after the spinal tuberculosis was cured. Single-stage posterior surgery with instrumentation results in less operative trauma and can be a suitable alternative for treating thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis with bilateral paraspinal or bilateral psoas abscesses.

A retrospective controlled study of three different operative approaches for the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis: Three years of follow-up

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the optimal operative approach for the treatment of spinal tuberculosis. We analyzed two types of pathological vertebrae (thoracic and lumbar) and three cardinal operative approaches for surgery. MethodsSixty patients with spinal tuberculosis were divided into thoracic (n=30) and lumbar groups (n=30) based on locations of the foci. These patients underwent anti-tuberculosis drug and surgical therapy. The operative approaches for the surgical treatments were the anterior approach (AA, n=20), posterior approach (PA, n=20), and combined anterior and posterior approach (CAPA, n=20). All clinical data from the patients was collected and included surgical time, blood loss, correction of kyphosis, and vertebral body height reconstruction. Differences in the means between the groups were evaluated statistically with one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs). ResultsThe surgery time in the CAPA group was longer than that of AA group (P<0.05), and there were no significant differences between the CAPA and PA groups or the AA and PA groups. The average vertebral body height reconstruction in the AA group was larger than that of the PA or CAPA groups, and there was no significant difference between the PA and CAPA groups (P>0.05). There were no interactions between the location of the pathological vertebra and the type of surgical approach, with the exception of blood loss. The blood loss of the CAPA was greater than those of the AA and PA patients in the thoracic group (P<0.05), and no significant difference was found in the lumbar group (P>0.05). ConclusionsAA was well-suited for serious vertebral collapse that required reconstruction of the height of the vertebrae. CAPA was unfit for patients with poor basic conditions due to the long surgical time, but the long surgery time of CAPA did not necessarily lead to greater blood loss compared to the other approaches.

Primary issues in the selection of surgical procedures for thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.

Debridement, spinal canal decompression, deformity correction, bone graft fusion and internal fixation are commonly used in the surgical treatment of spinal tuberculosis. A complete surgical plan for patients with spinal tuberculosis may include all or some of these five surgical procedures that involve both removing tuberculous lesions and re-establishing spinal stability and function. All five procedures can be carried out via an anterior or posterior approach or a combination of these two approaches. A combined posterior-anterior approach is becoming a preferred choice for treating spinal tuberculosis. However, this procedure requires two incisions and two rounds of surgeries, which the associated extensive surgical trauma. Thus, a simple anterior or posterior approach may be preferable. Each of these approaches has its own advantages and disadvantages that must be considered during the clinician's evaluation. Selection of the most appropriate of these three approaches is vital to achieving cure of spinal tuberculosis. Spinal surgeons should comprehensively consider each patient's characteristics, the manifestations of their lesions and how familiar the surgeon is with the required surgical procedure(s). The primary consideration should be the potential outcome: the effectiveness of debridement is the key determinant of the surgical outcome.

Treatment of thoracic or lumbar spinal tuberculosis complicated by resultant listhesis at the involved segment

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to present a singular pathological process of thoracic or lumbar spinal tuberculosis contributing to listhesis at the involved site, with special focus on clinical features and management of this disorder. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 14 patients (5 males and 9 females, including 2 boys) admitted to our institution from April 2007 to March 2010 and were subsequently diagnosed with thoracic or lumbar spinal tuberculosis with resultant listhesis at the involved level. All patients underwent posterior instrumentation and reduction combined with single-stage anterior radical debridement and interbody fusion. Patients were followed-up clinically and radiographically. ResultsThe average follow-up duration was 54.6 months. All patients had a successful fusion. Complete reduction was achieved in 10 cases. Preoperative neurological injury was observed in six patients and all recovered after surgery. The average postoperative Frankel grade improvement was 1.2. The preoperative median value of the extent of listhesis was 26.2%, which fell to zero at the final follow-up (Z=−3.296, P=0.001). Pre- and postoperative median spinal stenosis rates were 45.9% and 8.4%, respectively (Z=−3.296, P=0.001). The preoperative neurologic level was positively correlated with the listhesis distance before surgery (rs=0.770, P=0.001). Postoperatively, the spinal stenosis rate was positively correlated with listhesis distance (rs=0.691, P=0.006). The correlation between neurologic level and age or spinal stenosis rate was not significant. The standardized coefficient of listhesis distance was greater than that of spinal stenosis rate in our multiple linear regression analysis model. No implant failure or recurrence of tuberculosis occurred. ConclusionTreatment of this rare pathology aims to restore good spinal alignment, radical debridement, and permanent stability. A reasonable surgical strategy may be the combination of posterior reduction, anterior debridement, and supportive graft fusion. This strategy can safely and effectively achieve all of the therapeutic goals in one step.

Active thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis in children with kyphotic deformity treated by one-stage posterior instrumentation combined anterior debridement: preliminary study

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the safety, feasibility and efficacy of one-stage posterior instrumentation combined anterior debridement and interbody fusion for treatment of active thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis (TB) in children with kyphotic deformity. A total of 20 children (12 boys, 8 girls) were enrolled in this study from January 2006 to January 2011. All patients underwent one-stage posterior instrumentation combined anterior debridement and interbody fusion. Clinical and radiographic results were analyzed. Patients were followed up for 28.9months on average. Improvement was shown in all patients with neurologic dysfunction according to American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale. The mean preoperative angle of kyphosis was 35.2°±6.8° (range 26°-47°), which reduced to 9.7°±1.8° (range 6°-13°) postoperatively. The mean angle of kyphosis at the last follow-up was 12.0°±1.9° (range 9°-15°). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein returned to normal in all patients within 6months after surgery. All patients acquired bony fusion, and no major complications were observed through the final follow-up visit. One-stage posterior instrumentation combined anterior debridement and fusion were demonstrated to be a safe and effective method to achieve spinal decompression and kyphosis correction in children with thoracic and lumbar spinal TB.

Debridement combined with local anti-TB drugs delivery for thoracic and lumbar spine tuberculosis

Objective To investigate a therapeutic method which could provide sustained-release delivery and local longlasting anti-TB treatment after debridement of thoracic and lumbar spine tuberculosis.Methods Data of 18 patients (including 2 revised cases),who were diagnosed of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis and required surgery treatment from October 2008 to January 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 12 males and 6 females,with an average age of 48.7± 13.3 years (range,22 to 67 years).Affected spinal segments in these patients spanned from T8 to S1.fourteen patients were treated with posterior surgical procedure alone while the other 4 were treated with one-stage combined anterior-posterior surgery.Combined with autogenous bone,OSTEOSET RBK drug carrier-type artificial bone mixed with isoniazid and streptomycin was used after debridement.Chlinical parameters including clinical symptoms,laboratory results,and imaging data were evaluated during follow-up.Results Incisions of all patients achieved primary healing.The duration of patient follow-up ranged from 29 to 56 months (average,39.5months).No liver and kidney function abnormalities,ototoxicity,or local nerve irritations were found perioperatively.Improvements in clinical symptoms were observed in all patients.One patient with L2a tuberculosis recurred 18 months after the initial surgery.At 6-month follow-up,intervertebral body fusion was achieved without complications of internal fixation or significant angle loss of kyphosis correction.Conclusion OSTEOSET RBK dmg carrier-type artificial bone mixed with isoniazid,streptomycin for treatment of thoracic and lumbar spine tuberculosis is a safe and effective way to control local infection and recurrence.Combined with autologous bone could contribute to bone fusion. Key words: Thoracic vertebrae; Lumbar vertebrae; Tuberculosis, Spinal; Bone substitutes

Treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis via posterior paraspinal muscle gap approach

Objective To explore the feasibility and assess the efficacy of posterior paraspinal muscle gap approach in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.Methods From June 2009 to June 2013,a total of 29 patients were analyzed retrospectively.There were 2 patients of tuberculosis T8,9,6 of T9,10,8 of L1,2,10 of L2,3,and 3 of L4,5.The patients included 12cases of male,17 cases of female; the age ranged from 28 to 53 years,with a mean of 40.78 years.Nine patients had preoperative kyphosis deformity,and Cobb angle ranged from 19° to 39° (mean,29.67°).Two patients complained with paraplegia with Frankel grade C.All patients had preoperative standardized oral isoniazid,rifampicin,pyrazinamide border,ethambutol,glucuronolactone for 2-4 weeks.All patients underwent one-stage posterior paraspinal muscle gap approach fixation,rectification,debridement and autograft bone fusion.The clinical effects were observed by the time and blood loss in operation,blood loss after operation; the score of visual analogue scale (VAS) one week after operation and the last follow-up,the time erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) drop to normal after operation,the change of cobb angle,the improvement of the neurological symptom,the situation of the bone fusion.Results Operation time was 3-4 h,with an average of 3.3 h; operative blood loss was 300-600 ml,with an average of 434 ml.Drainage volumn was 250-450 ml after surgery with an average of 340 ml.All patients were followed up for 6 to 36 months with an average of 16.56 months.There was no recurrence,sinus formation or internal fixation failure,and all patients obtained successful bony fusion.The mean time ESR drop to normal range after operation was 4.22 months.One patient of the two with Frankel grade C pre-operation turn to grade D,the other grade E.The Cobb angle was 10.33° (9°-12°) immediately after operation,and 12.22° (11°-14°) at the final follow-up.Conclusion Posterior paraspinal muscle gap approach surgeries is feasible and effective in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis. Key words: Thoracic vertebrae; Lumbar vertebrae; Tuberculosis, Spinal

Minimally Invasive Surgical Approaches in the Management of Tuberculosis of the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine

Spinal tuberculosis is the most common form of skeletal tuberculosis. Various approaches have been described for surgical management of spinal tuberculosis, but many entail wide exposures with attendant morbidity; whether minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approaches are suitable is unknown. We evaluated (1) neurologic results, (2) radiographic results, and (3) complications in patients with thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis treated with two MIS approaches. We retrospectively evaluated 22 patients with thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis managed surgically from October 2008 to February 2011 using MIS methods; one patient was lost to followup, leaving 21 patients with a minimum followup of 15 months (mean, 30 months; range, 15-59 months) for analysis. MIS approaches were used for patients with disease below D6 and minimum pedicle diameters of 4.5 mm to permit percutaneous screw placement. The MIS approach was divided into two groups depending on the extent of destruction of the vertebral body: a posterior-only group (n = 9), where posterior transpedicular decompression sufficed, and the hybrid group (n = 12), requiring anterior débridement and ventral-column reconstruction by conventional or mini-open thoracotomy. All but two patients with more than two contiguous bodies involvement underwent MIS posterior fixation by percutaneous transpedicular screws. Plain radiographs were evaluated for deformity correction and correction maintenance. Neurologic recovery and complications were ascertained by chart review. All patients with neurologic deficits recovered completely with no motor deficits at followup; 13% improved by three grades, 53% by two grades, and 33% by one grade. Mean correction was 2.5° (thoracic) and 8° (lumbar) in the posterior-only group and 4.2° in the hybrid group. Some correction loss occurred with healing (2° and 1.6° in the posterior-only and hybrid groups, respectively), but in none of those who had fixation did this progress to more than preoperative status. Two of 22 patients (9%) had complications. One had a malposition of L5 screw causing painful radiculopathy without motor deficit and required repositioning. The other had an intraoperative dural tear repaired by onlay fascial patch and cerebrospinal fluid diversion. There were no approach-related complications, neurologic deterioration, or implant fatigue at last followup. We found evidence of neurologic recovery, avoidance of deformity progression, and few complications with these MIS approaches. Comparative trials are called for between open and MIS approaches for patients with spinal tuberculosis. Level IV, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

One-Stage Posterior Debridement and Transpedicular Screw Fixation for Treating Monosegmental Thoracic and Lumbar Spinal Tuberculosis in Adults

Spinal tuberculosis is still prevalent in some developing countries. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of one-stage posterior debridement, autogenous bone grafting, and transpedicular screw fixation in treating monosegmental thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis in adults. 37 patients were retrospectively reviewed in this study. The data of images, operative time and blood loss volume, perioperative complications, time to achieve bony fusion, VAS score, and neurologic function preoperatively and postoperatively were collected. The mean follow-up period was 21.5 ± 3.5 months. The tuberculosis was cured after surgery in all patients, and no recurrence was observed. Bony fusion was achieved in all patients with a mean time of 5.6 ± 2.5 months. Neurological outcome did not change in one case with grade A, and increased by 1–3 grades in the other patients with nerve deficit. The average preoperative and postoperative VAS scores were 5.5 ± 2.23 and 1.5 ± 1.22, respectively; the difference was significant (P < 0.05). There were three perioperative complications (8.1%, 3/37) observed in this study. In conclusion, the procedure of one-stage posterior debridement, interbody fusion with autogenous bone grafting, and posterior fixation with pedicle screw is effective and safe for treating monosegmental thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis in adults.

The role of surgical timing in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis

To determine the outcome and safety of surgical treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis in patients without obvious clinical and laboratory improvement after preoperative short-time chemotherapy. Data of 86 patients with single-level thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis, treated by one-stage posterior instrumentation combined with anterior radical debridement and fusion, were studied retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups based on the results of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) after preoperative 2-week chemotherapy. Surgical outcome and prognosis were compared between the two groups. After antituberculous chemotherapy for 2 weeks, the ESR did not decrease or even increase in 57 patients (group A), but decreased in 29 patients (group B). However, the ESR decreased gradually after surgery and returned to a normal level at the final follow-up in both groups. Between group A and B, no significant difference was observed in pain improvement (6.3 ± 1.4, 6.4 ± 1.4, respectively, P = 0.805). The corrected angle was 12.4° ± 5.9°, 13.8° ± 6.4°, respectively, for group A and group B (P = 0.305). It is safe and effective to carry out the surgery just after a short-time antituberculous chemotherapy. And it is the postoperative drugs, not the preoperative drugs, that play an important role in reinforcing the surgical outcome.

One-stage anterior debridement, bone grafting and posterior instrumentation vs. single posterior debridement, bone grafting, and instrumentation for the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis

The aim of this study was to compare single posterior debridement, interbody fusion and instrumentation with one-stage anterior debridement, interbody fusion and posterior instrumentation for treating thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis. From January 2006 to January 2010, we enrolled 115 spinal tuberculosis patients with obvious surgical indications. Overall, 55 patients had vertebral body destruction, accompanied by a flow injection abscess or a unilateral abscess volume greater than 500 ml. The patients underwent one-staged anterior debridement, bone grafting and posterior instrumentation (group A) or single posterior debridement, bone grafting and instrumentation (group B). Clinical and radiographic results for the two groups were analyzed and compared. Patients were followed 12-36 months (mean 21.3 months), Fusion occurred at 4-12 months (mean 7.8 months). There were significant differences between groups regarding the post-operative kyphosis angle, angle correction and angle correction rate, especially if pathology is present in thoracolumbar and lumbar regions. Operative complications affected five patients in group A, and one patient in group B. A unilateral psoas abscess was observed in three patients 12 months postoperatively. In one of them, interbody fusion did not occur, and there was fixation loosening and interbody absorption. All of them were cured by an anterior operation. Anterior debridement and bone grafting with posterior instrumentation may not be the best choice for treating patients with spinal tuberculosis. Single posterior debridement/bone grafting/instrumentation for single-segment of thoracic or lumbar spine tuberculosis produced good clinical results, except in patients who had a psoas abscess.

Surgical treatment of thoracic spinal tuberculosis with adjacent segments lesion via one-stage transpedicular debridement, posterior instrumentation and combined interbody and posterior fusion, a clinical study

To investigate the clinical efficacy and feasibility of one-stage surgical treatment for thoracic spinal tuberculosis with adjacent segments lesion by internal fixation, transpedicular debridement, and combined interbody and posterior fusion via a posterior-only approach. Twenty-one patients (thirteen males, eight females) with thoracic tuberculosis whose lesions were confined to two adjacent segments were studied retrospectively. All patients were treated with one-stage surgical treatment by internal fixation, transpedicular debridement, and combined interbody and posterior fusion via a posterior-only approach. The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale was used to assess neurological function. Thoracic Cobb angle was used to assess thoracic kyphosis. Operating time, blood loss, complications, neurological function, deformity correction and interbody fusion were investigated. Average mean operating time was 231.4±31.9min, and evaluated blood loss during operation was 880.2±112.7ml. All patients were followed up for 22-41months postoperatively (average 29.8±5.4months). All patients had significant postoperative improvement in ASIA classification scores. The thoracic kyphotic angles were significantly decreased to 9°-25° postoperatively (average 16.7°±4.4°), and at final follow-up were 10°-27°(average 17.7°±4.4°). No severe complications or spinal cord injury occurred. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate recovered to normal within 3months postoperatively in all patients. All patients got bony fusion within 6-9months after surgery. One-stage transpedicular debridement, posterior instrumentation and combined interbody and posterior fusion via a posterior-only approach can be an effective and feasible treatment method for thoracic spinal tuberculosis.

The operative option and therapeutic effect in the treatment of multiple-level contiguous thoracic spinal tuberculosis

Objective To investigate operative approach,immobilization manner,and surgical effect of multiple-level contiguous thoracic spinal tuberculosis.Methods Between January 2001 and December 2010,112 patients with thoracic spinal tuberculosis were treated with 5 different surgical procedures.Among them,81 adults with multiple-level contiguous thoracic spinal tuberculosis were followed up for 17 to 75 months (average,39 months).Twenty three patients suffered from spinal cord dysfunction; according to the Frankel classification,there were 3 cases of type A,4 cases of type B,7 cases of type C,and 9 cases of type D.The double vertebral bodies were commonly affected areas,especially T10 and T11-Results Local symptoms of all patients were relieved significantly 1 to 3 weeks postoperatively.Erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) returned to normal level in all patients 8 to 12 weeks postoperatively.Three sinuses were found 0.5 month,1 month and 1.5 months postoperatively,respectively,which were cured by changing dressing for 1 to 2 months.The average correction of kyphotic deformity was 10.2°±2.1° in anterior fixation group,while 12.6°±2.7° in posterior fixation group.At final follow-up,the average loss of correction was 6.9°±1.9° in anterior fixation group,while 5.8°±1.4° in posterior fixation group.At least one Frankel grade improvement was observed in 23 patients.Conclusion The surgical methods should be chosen according to the location and degree of the lesion.Correct surgical procedures can obtain good results in correction and maintenance of the deformity,clearance of the foci,decompression of the spinal cord and pain relief for thoracic spinal tuberculosis.The posterior fixation is better than the anterior fixation with regard to correction and maintenance of the kyphotic deformity. Key words: Thoracic vertebrae; Tuberculosis, spinal; Spinal fusion

Surgical management for thoracic spinal tuberculosis in the elderly: posterior only versus combined posterior and anterior approaches

To compare the clinical outcomes of surgical management by posterior only and combined posterior and anterior approaches for thoracic spinal tuberculosis in the elderly. This was a retrospective cohort study. Thirty-six cases of thoracic spinal tuberculosis treated by two different surgical procedures in our center from January 2004 to June 2009 were studied. All the cases were divided into two groups: 20 cases in Group A underwent single-stage posterior debridement, transforaminal fusion and instrumentation, and 16 cases in Group B underwent posterior instrumentation, anterior debridement and bone graft in a single- or two-stage procedure. The operation time, blood loss, correction rate, recovery of neurological function, fusion time and complications were, respectively, compared between Group A and Group B. All patients were followed up for an average of 35.1±5.8months (range 26-45months). It was obviously that the average operative duration, blood loss, hospitalization and complication rate of Group A was less than those of Group B. Spinal tuberculosis was completely cured and the grafted bones were fused in 10months in all patients. There was no persistence or recurrence of infection and no differences in the radiological results in both groups. The kyphosis was significantly corrected after surgical management. However, loss of correction also occurred in both groups. Our study showed that the posterior approach only procedure obtained better clinical outcomes than combined posterior and anterior surgeries. It might be a better surgical treatment for thoracic spinal tuberculosis in aged patients with poor health status, especially for cases in early phase of bone destruction and/or mild and moderate kyphosis.

One-stage surgical treatment for upper thoracic spinal tuberculosis by internal fixation, debridement, and combined interbody and posterior fusion via posterior-only approach

To investigate the clinical efficacy and feasibility of one-stage surgical treatment for upper thoracic spinal tuberculosis by internal fixation, debridement, and combined interbody and posterior fusion via a posterior-only approach. Fourteen patients (eight males, six females) with upper thoracic tuberculosis whose lesions were confined to two adjacent segments were admitted to our hospital. Their ages ranged from 23 to 72 years (average, 50 years). The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale was used to assess neurological function. ASIA classification showed that preoperatively, one patient was grade A, two patients were grade B, eight patients were grade C, and three patients were grade D. All patients were treated with one-stage surgical treatment by internal fixation, debridement, and combined interbody and posterior fusion via a posterior-only approach. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively by measurement of thoracic kyphotic angles using Cobb angle evaluation, determination of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), evaluation of ASIA impairment scale, and radiological examination. Operation time ranged from 70 to 135 min, (average, 110 min). Intraoperative blood loss ranged from 200 to 950 mL (average, 450 mL). All patients were followed up for 22 to 48 months postoperatively (average, 31.5 months). No sinus tract formation, cerebrospinal meningitis, or recurrence of tuberculosis occurred. All patients had significant postoperative improvement in ASIA classification scores. The thoracic kyphotic angles were significantly decreased to 12°-26° postoperatively, and at final follow-up were 13°-28°. The ESR recovered to normal within 6 months postoperatively in all patients. Bone fusion was achieved within 3-8 months (average, 5.5 months). One-stage surgical treatment for upper thoracic spinal tuberculosis by internal fixation, debridement, and combined interbody and posterior fusion via a posterior-only approach can be an effective and feasible treatment method.

Surgical management for multilevel noncontiguous thoracic spinal tuberculosis by single-stage posterior transforaminal thoracic debridement, limited decompression, interbody fusion, and posterior instrumentation (modified TTIF)

Multilevel noncontiguous thoracic spinal tuberculosis has rarely been reported in the literature. We present a retrospective clinical study of 14 patients with multilevel noncontiguous thoracic spinal tuberculosis treated by single-stage posterior transforaminal thoracic debridement, limited decompression, interbody fusion, and posterior instrumentation (modified TTIF) and determine the clinical effectiveness of such surgical treatment for MNTST. Fourteen patients with multilevel noncontiguous thoracic spinal tuberculosis were treated with modified TTIF. The mean follow-up was 27.36 ± 10.46 months (range 13-42 months). The kyphotic angle ranged from -2° to 47° before operation, with an average of 19.21° ± 12.63°. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of patients upon admission ranged from 30 to 62 mm/h before operation, with an average of 46.43 ± 10.77 mm/h. The Frankel Grade was used to evaluate the neurological deficits. The average ESR got normal (8.14 ± 5.89 mm/h) within 3 months in all patients. The average kyphotic angle decreased to 8.07° ± 6.91° postoperatively. Mean deformity angle was measured as 8.79° ± 7.29° at the last visit. Solid fusion was achieved in all cases. Neurologic status of the 12 patients with preoperative neurologic deficit was 6 with grade D recovered to normal; 2 with grade B, both of them to grade D; 4 with grade C, 2 to grade D, 1 to grade E, and 1 still in grade C. Modified TTIF can be an effective treatment method of multilevel noncontiguous thoracic spinal tuberculosis.

The clinicpathologic features and MRI manifestations of the thoracic lumbar tuberculosis

Objective: To explore the clinicpathologic features and MRI manifestations of the thoracic lumbar tuberculosis by underwenting MRI and pathological examinations. Methods: 34 cases of Thoracic lumbar tuberculosis were collected which underwent MRI examination and confirmed by pathology or treatment of anti-TB drugs, the clinical cure from June 2008 to June 2012 in our hospital. The first MRI was performed on all patients, to determine the MRI findings, and surgical treatment for pathological examination in order to determine the pathological features. Results: 34 patients with 81 vertebral involvement, in which two adjacent vertebral involvement is the common, accounting for 72.25%, vertebral showed uneven long T1, long T2 signal. Intervertebral disc abnormalities accounted for 90.17%, the performance showed long T1, long T2 signal changes in the intervertebral disc damage, often accompanied by disc space narrowing or disappear. Paraspinal abscess accounted for 90.67%, often more than vertebra, up and down across one or more vertebral bodies showed long T1, long T2 signal. The vertebrae were damaged kyphosis or (and) the posterior longitudinal ligament abscess caused by the dural sac and spinal column with pressure accounted for 74.72%. In enhanced scan, vertebrae, intervertebral discs showed heterogeneous enhancement, paraspinal abscess was curved or ring enhancement. The pathological diagnosis may be obvious to confirm the degree of swelling and lesions. Conclusion: By doing the MRI and pathologic examinations, it can determine the clinical and pathological features and MRI findings of spinal tuberculosis patients with Thoracic lumbar spinal tuberculosis, and lay a reliable foundation for the treatment of the subsequent treatment.