Tuberculosis of spine: An experience of 30 cases over two years

OBJECTIVE: Tuberculosis of spine is still a very common condition in India. Here, the results of 30 cases of tuberculosis of spine treated in SSG Hospital, Vadodara, Gujarat, in the last two years, are reviewed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients with tuberculosis of spine were treated in SSG Hospital in the last two years. They were classified into three groups, based on the GATA, GATA = Gulhane Askeri Tip Akademisi (Gulhane Military Medical Academy) classification for spinal tuberculosis, with few modifications. Their neurologic status was evaluated by the Frankel's grading. All the patients were started on four drug anti-tuberculosis medication given every alternate day as per the DOTS and RNTCP program of the Government of India for 6 months. Patients in group 1 were treated by bed rest, analgesics, and antituberculous drugs after confirmation of the diagnosis by CT-guided biopsy. Patients in group 2 were treated by surgical of USG-guided aspiration of abscesses followed by full course of antituberculous drugs. Twenty-one patients in group 3 underwent surgery. A single-stage anterior decompression and anterior fixation was done in all the cases. RESULTS: All the nine patients in group I and 2 responded well to medical management and were cured of the disease. Out of the 21 operated patients, 19 had significant improvement in neurological status and return to their normal activities. The first operated patient died. The neurological status of one patient did not improve till 1 month after surgery and was lost to follow-up. Thus, 100% of group 1 and 2 patients were cured of the disease and 90% of group 3 patients had good neurological recovery. CONCLUSIONS: If treated timely and adequately, the outcome for tuberculosis of spine is relatively good. Anterolateral approach to the spine with decompression and fixation gives good result with respect to neurological function.