Treatment Experiences and Management Outcomes for Skipped Multisegmental Spinal Tuberculosis.

Abstract

China ranks second among the 22 countries with the highest burden of tuberculosis. The goals of this study were to evaluate the clinical outcomes of treatment of skipped multisegmental spinal tuberculosis and to investigate the selection strategy for the optimal procedure based on focal characteristics. From March 1999 to December 2013, 24 patients with skipped multisegmental spinal tuberculosis were enrolled in this study. Ten patients underwent an anterior procedure (anterior group). Four patients underwent a combined anterior and posterior procedure (combined anterior and posterior group). Ten patients underwent a posterior procedure (posterior group). All patients were evaluated according to clinical presentation and radiographic, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings. The focal tissues of all patients underwent drug susceptibility testing. The patients underwent clinical and radiologic follow-up an average of 18.6 months post-operatively. The cohort included 13 male and 11 female patients (age range, 15-69 years). The patients showed significant improvement in deformity and neurologic deficits. All patients had graft union 6 to 12 months postoperatively. No patient had surgical complications. Postoperative recurrence occurred in 1 patient in the combined anterior and posterior group. Two patients had strains that were resistant to at least 1 anti-tuberculosis drug. One patient had multidrug-resistant strains. All 24 patients had achieved cure at final follow-up. This study showed that the 3 procedures can safely and effectively achieve nerve decompression, graft fusion, and kyphosis correction. The procedure should be chosen according to the patient's general condition, focal characteristics, and type of complication, and the surgeon's experience.