AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightDrug therapy is recommended for 9-12 months.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Özet
Spinal tuberculosis (TB) is seen in 2% of TB patients and 50% of skeletal involvement of TB. Low back pain, fever, weight loss, and night sweats are the most common symptoms. However, the gold standard for its diagnosis is the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in culture taken from tissue samples. Magnetic resonance imaging is the preferred imaging modality in the diagnosis of spinal TB. Typical findings include lesions in the vertebral endplates, anterior involvement of the vertebral body, and subligamentous spread. The aim of the treatment is to confirm the diagnosis, to clear the lesion from bacteria, and to eliminate spinal deformity and spinal cord pressure. Drug therapy is recommended for 9-12 months. There is controversy in the literature regarding the need for additional surgical intervention in the treatment of spinal TB. Many authors have suggested surgery in the presence of progressive neurological deficit, instability, progressive kyphosis above the 50 degrees or disease unresponsive to drug therapy. Surgical approach in spinal TB surgery is still being discussed. The location of the lesion, instability, patient-related factors, and severity of deformity should be considered when deciding on the approach.