Original Article

RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF THE TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS SPONDYLITIS IN GROWING SPINE

  • Turgut AKGÜL
  • Murat KORKMAZ
  • İ. Teoman BENLI
  • Cüneyt ŞAR
  • Fatih DIKICI
  • Ufuk TALU
  • Yetkin SÖYÜNCÜ

Received Date: 12.07.2016 Accepted Date: 06.09.2016 J Turk Spinal Surg 2016;27(4):229-236

Objectives:

The aim of this study to evaluate the results of the tuberculosis at growing spine

Material and Method:

Eighteen children under 12 years old were evaluated retrospectively in our study. The mean age at the treatment was 8 (3-12) years old. Patients treated with different treatment modalities as conservative (2 pts), anterior approach (5 pts), anterior approach with instrumentation and anterior-posterior combined approach (7 pts). The number of infected vertebra were 3,2 (1-7) at thoracic area. The complaints of the patients were instability (16 pts), pain (18 pts) and paraparesis (2 pts). Patients was diagnosed with culture and histopathological evaluation of biopsy.

Results:

The mean follow–up 15 (2-20) years. Patient latest kyphosis angle after prior surgery or conservative follow up was 61° (130-25) (p<0.01). Anterior debridement without instrumentation (84° ± 21°) have significant increase on kyphosis measurement compare with instrumentation (33° ± 6,3°) (p<0,001). Patients treated with only anterior approach without instrumentation or conservative were healed with excessive kyphotic deformity.

Conclusion:

Although the main treatment of the tuberculosis is chemotherapy, in growing spine surgical treatment is mandatory to prevent further deformity. Combined surgical treatment is reliable with high success for serious lesion.

Keywords: Tuberculosis spondylitis, childhood, treatment, kyphosis, growing spine.