Clinical Outcome of Single-Stage Decompression and Posterior Stabilization in Thoracolumbar Spinal Tuberculosis

Background Thoracolumbar spine constitutes the most common site for spinal tuberculosis. Though the treatment of spinal tuberculosis is antitubercular drugs initially, the patient with neurologic weakness warrants definitive surgical procedure of decompression and stabilization. Even though many investigators have reported favorable results with anterior decompression and stabilization surgery, due to the increased morbidity and complications, the posterior-only approach with decompression and stabilization has evolved as the operation of choice in recent time. Methods All patients aged between 18 and 70 years with clinically and radiologically proven symptomatic thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis who failed with conservative treatment for 4 weeks or developed neurologic weakness between the treatments are included in this study. All patients were offered decompression and posterior stabilization with transpedicular screws and rods after explaining the above procedure. Clinical outcome was measured by modified Frankel grading; AIS (American Spinal Injury Association impairment score) grade impairment score; and pain assessment done with visual analog scale (VAS) pre- and postoperatively and at 3, 6, and 9 months of interval. Results The postoperative pain relief, neurologic improvement as per modified Frankel grade, AIS grade, and improvement in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were significant as compared with the preoperative status. The surgical interventions thus prove to have adequate relief to the patient and arresting the disease progression. The surgical outcome has very minimal intra- and postoperative complications. Conclusion Single-stage decompression and posterior stabilization in thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis is safe, effective, and results in good clinical outcome. The advantages of surgery include thorough debridement, decompression, and achievement of spinal stabilization.

Single-stage posterior-only debridement, decompression and interbody fusion for the treatment of thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis complicated with psoas abscesses

Background To explore the clinical safety and efficacy of single-stage posterior-only debridement, decompression, allograft bone using titanium mesh and interbody fusion combined for the treatment of thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis complicated with psoas abscesses. Methods A total of 38 patients diagnosed with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis complicated with psoas abscesses underwent surgery via single-stage posterior-only debridement, decompression, allograft bone using titanium mesh and interbody fusion from January 2010 to September 2016 were enrolled in the study. The clinical efficacy of the approach was assessed based on parameters including operating time, blood loss, Cobb angle, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, Frankel grade, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Results The surgery duration was 224.4 ± 71.1 min with a blood loss of 731.8 ± 585.8 ml. The Cobb angle was corrected from 16.0 ± 15.4° preoperatively to 8.1 ± 7.4° postoperatively (P < 0.001, t = − 4.38), and returned to a level of 11.0 ± 8.5° at the final follow-up (P = 0.002, t = 3.38). Back pain was relieved, with the mean preoperative VAS of 3.5 ± 1.1 decreased to 0.7 ± 0.8 postoperatively (P < 0.001, t = 23.21) and then to 0.6 ± 0.5 at the final follow-up (P < 0.001, t = 17.07). Neurological function was improved in various degrees and psoas abscesses disappeared in all patients. The ESR and CRP decreased gradually after surgery and returned to normal at the final follow-up in all patients. All patients achieved bone fusion thoroughly and no recurrence of TB or surgical related complications was found at the final follow-up. Conclusion Single-stage posterior-only debridement, decompression, allograft bone using titanium mesh and interbody fusion is a safe and effective approach for the management of thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis complicated with psoas abscesses.

Single-stage posterior-only debridement, decompression, allograft bone using titanium mesh and interbody fusion for the treatment of thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis complicated with psoas abscesses

Background: To explore the clinical safety and efficacy of single-stage posterior-only debridement, decompression, allograft bone using titanium mesh and interbody fusion combined for the treatment of thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis complicated with psoas abscesses.Methods: A total of 38 patients diagnosed with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis complicated with psoas abscesses underwent surgery via single-stage posterior-only debridement, decompression, allograft bone using titanium mesh and interbody fusion from January 2010 to September 2016 were enrolled in the study. The clinical efficacy of the approach was assessed based on parameters including operating time, blood loss, Cobb angle, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, Frankel grade, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP).Results: The surgery duration was 224.4 ± 71.1 min with a blood loss of 731.8 ± 585.8 ml. The Cobb angle was corrected from 16.0 ± 15.4° preoperatively to 8.1 ± 7.4° postoperatively (P < 0.001, t = -4.38), and returned to a level of 11.0 ± 8.5° at the final follow-up (P = 0.002, t = 3.38). Back pain was relieved, with the mean preoperative VAS of 3.5 ± 1.1 decreased to 0.7 ± 0.8 postoperatively (P < 0.001, t = 23.21) and then to 0.6 ± 0.5 at the final follow-up (P < 0.001, t = 17.07). Neurological function was improved in various degrees and psoas abscesses disappeared in all patients. The ESR and CRP decreased gradually after surgery and returned to normal at the final follow-up in all patients. All patients achieved bone fusion thoroughly and no recurrence of TB or surgical related complications was found at the final follow-up. Conclusion: Single-stage posterior-only debridement, decompression, allograft bone using titanium mesh and interbody fusion is a safe and effective approach for the management of thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis complicated with psoas abscesses.

Short-term outcome of lamina-sparing decompression in thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis

OBJECTIVEThe authors sought to assess the outcomes of lamina-sparing decompression using a posterior-only approach in patients with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis (TB). In patients with spinal TB with paraplegia, anterior decompression yields excellent results because it allows direct access to the diseased part of the vertebra, but the anterior approach has related morbidities. Posterior and posterolateral decompression mitigate approach-related morbidities; however, these approaches destabilize the already diseased segment. Lamina-sparing decompression through a posterior-only approach is a modification of posterolateral and anterolateral decompression that allows simultaneous decompression and instrumentation while preserving the posterior healthy bony structure as much as possible.METHODSThirty-five patients with spinal TB underwent lamina-sparing decompression and instrumentation. Outcomes were determined by using a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for functional assessment, the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment grade for neurological assessment, blood loss and duration of surgery for surgical outcome assessment, and Cobb angles to measure kyphosis correction.RESULTSIn total, 35 patients (12 men and 23 women) with an average age of 35.8 ± 18.7 (range 4–69) years underwent lamina-sparing decompression. Eight patients had dorsal, 7 had dorsolumbar, 7 had lumbar, 9 had multifocal contiguous, and 4 patients had multifocal noncontiguous spinal TB; 33 patients had paradiscal Pott’s spine (tuberculous spondylodiscitis), and 2 had central-type disease. The average preoperative Cobb angle was 28.4° ± 14.9° (range 0°–60°) and the postoperative Cobb angle was 16.3° ± 11.3° (44° to −15°). There was loss of 1.6° ± 1.5° (0°–5°) during 16 months of follow-up. Average blood loss was 526 ± 316 (range 130–1200) ml. Duration of surgery was 228 ± 79.14 (range 60–320) minutes. Level of vertebral instrumentation on average was 0.97 ± 0.8 (range 0–4) vertebra proximal and 1.25 ± 0.75 (0–3) distal to the diseased segment. Neurological recovery during the immediate postoperative period occurred in 23 of 27 patients (85.1%). All patients had recovered at the final follow-up at 16 months. The preoperative ODI score improved from 76.4 ± 17.9 (range 32–100) to 6.74 ± 17.2 (0–60) at 16 months. The preoperative VAS score improved from 7.48 ± 1.16 (6–10) to 0.47 ± 1.94 (0–8). Surgical site infection occurred in 2 patients, and 1 patient had an intraoperative dural tear that was successfully repaired. One patient developed implant loosening at 3 months, which was managed by extended instrumentation.CONCLUSIONSTo achieve stability, lamina-sparing decompression allows fixation of lower numbers of vertebrae proximal and distal to the diseased segment. This method has a fair outcome in terms of kyphosis correction, good functional and neurological recovery, shorter surgical duration than conventional methods, and less blood loss.

Long-term outcome of polymethylmethacrylate-augmented screw fixation in the treatment of thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis in elderly patients with severe osteoporosis

Background: to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Polymethylmethacrylate-augmented screw fixation (PASF) in the treatment of elderly patients with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis accompanied with severe osteoporosis.Methods: 34 elderly patients with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis accompanied with severe osteoporosis underwent PASF after anterior or posterior debridement and bone grafting in our hospital from January 2010 to January 2012. The follow-ups were performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively and then annually thereafter. The segmental cobb angle was measured to evaluate kyphosis improvement. The laboratory examination including ESR and CRP was also monitored. The pre- and postoperative VAS score, ODI score, and neurological function of ASIA scale were also recorded.Results: The included 21 patients completed the operation successfully. In all patients with neurological dysfunction, the ASIA grade improved by at least 1 grade. One month postoperatively, the VAS score, ODI, segmental Cobb angle, ESR, and CRP were significantly improved compared with those preoperatively (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the values at 1 month postoperatively and last follow-up (P＞0.05). There were no complications such as implant failure, proximal junctional kyphosis, or recurrence of tuberculosis at the minimum 5-year follow-up. Conclusion: For elderly patients with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis complicated with severe osteoporosis, after anterior or posterior debridement and bone grafting, together with postoperative systematic anti-tuberculosis and anti-osteoporosis treatments, PASF is safe and effective without catastrophic complications such as intraspinal cement leakage. During the 5-year follow-up, there was no tuberculosis recurrence or implant failure.

The efficacy of allograft bone using titanium mesh in the posterior-only surgical treatment of thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis

Background: The bony fusion of allograft bone using titanium mesh in the posterior-only surgical treatment of thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis has not been explained in detail. We aimed to analyze the efficacy of bony fusion of allograft bone using titanium mesh in the posterior-only surgical treatment of thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis.Methods: We treated 32 thoracic or thoracolumbar tuberculosis patients by one-stage posterior debridement, allograft bone graft using titanium mesh, posterior instrumentation, and fusion from May 2011 to September 2015. The American Spinal Injury Association neurological classification, visual analog scale, and Oswestry disability index scores were analyzed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at final follow-up. The Cobb angles were recorded to evaluate the kyphosis correction and the loss of correction. The bony fusion was evaluated by X-ray and computed tomography images, and the bony fusion classifications were recorded.Results: All patients had pain relief. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-response protein, and hepatorenal function were normal at final follow-up. The American Spinal Injury Association neurological classification, visual analog scale, and Oswestry disability index scores were improved in all the patients. All patients achieved bone fusion. Twenty-eight patients achieved complete fusion (Grade I), whereas only four patients achieved partial fusion (Grade II). The preoperative Cobb angle was 33.6±9.3°. The Cobb angle was reduced to 10.6±2.6° postoperatively and was found to be 11.4±3.1° at the final follow-up. The mean angle correction was 23.0±8.9°, and the correction rate was 66.2±12.2%. The mean angle lost was 0.8±0.9°, and the lost rate was 5.8±5.4% at the final follow-up.Conclusions: Allograft bone using titanium mesh in the posterior-only surgical treatment is effective for patients with thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis. It can correct kyphosis, and most patients can achieve complete bony fusion.

The efficacy of allograft bone using titanium mesh in the posterior-only surgical treatment of thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis

Background The bony fusion of allograft bone using titanium mesh in the posterior-only surgical treatment of thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis has not been explained in detail. We aimed to analyze the efficacy of bony fusion of allograft bone using titanium mesh in the posterior-only surgical treatment of thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis. Methods We treated 32 thoracic or thoracolumbar tuberculosis patients by one-stage posterior debridement, allograft bone graft using titanium mesh, posterior instrumentation, and fusion from May 2011 to September 2015. The American Spinal Injury Association neurological classification, visual analog scale, and Oswestry disability index scores were analyzed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at final follow-up. The Cobb angles were recorded to evaluate the kyphosis correction and the loss of correction. The bony fusion was evaluated by X-ray and computed tomography images, and the bony fusion classifications were recorded. Results All patients had pain relief. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-response protein, and hepatorenal function were normal at final follow-up. The American Spinal Injury Association neurological classification, visual analog scale, and Oswestry disability index scores were improved in all the patients. All patients achieved bone fusion. Twenty-eight patients achieved complete fusion (Grade I), whereas only four patients achieved partial fusion (Grade II). The preoperative Cobb angle was 33.6±9.3°. The Cobb angle was reduced to 10.6±2.6° postoperatively and was found to be 11.4±3.1° at the final follow-up. The mean angle correction was 23.0±8.9°, and the correction rate was 66.2±12.2%. The mean angle lost was 0.8±0.9°, and the lost rate was 5.8±5.4% at the final follow-up. Conclusions Allograft bone using titanium mesh in the posterior-only surgical treatment is effective for patients with thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis. It can correct kyphosis, and most patients can achieve complete bony fusion.