Objective To explore the effectiveness and related issues in the treatment of multiple segments of thoracolumbar tuberculosis through posterior unilateral debridement with bone graft and internal fixation. Methods The clinical data of 29 patients with multiple segments of thoracolumbar tuberculosis who met the selection criteria were retrospective analyzed between January 2012 and July 2015. There were 17 males and 12 females, with age of 21-62 years (mean, 37.4 years). Lesions contained 3-8 vertebral segments, including 3 segments in 6 cases, 4-6 segments in 17 cases, and 7-8 segments in 6 cases. The center lesions located at thoracic spine in 8 cases, lumbar spine in 10 cases, and thoracolumbar segment in 6 cases, and thoracic lumbar skip lesions in 5 cases. The complications included vertebral abscess in 7 cases, psoas major abscess in 6 cases, sacral spine muscle abscess in 7 cases, iliac fossa and the buttocks abscess in 1 case, spinal canal abscess in 2 cases. Preoperative neurological function was assessed according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification: 1 case of grade B, 3 cases of grade C, 8 cases of grade D, and 17 cases of grade E. The disease duration was 6-48 months (mean, 19.3 months). All the patients were treated with posterior unilateral transpedicular or transarticular debridement with bone graft fusion and internal fixation under general anesthesia. Pre- and post-operative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and sagittal Cobb angle were recorded and compared. Bridwell classification standard was used to evaluate bone graft fusion. According to the number and the center of the lesion, the necessity to placement of titanium mesh cage was analyzed. Results All the patients were followed up 18-30 months (mean, 24 months). Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 3 cases, intercostal neuralgia in 2 cases, wound unhealed and fistula formation in 1 case, and ofiliac fossa abscess recurred in 1 case, and all recovered after symptomatic treatment. During follow-up, no fracture or loosing of internal fixation was found and all the lesions were cured at last follow-up. According to Bridwell classification standard, bone graft achieved bony fusion during 4-9 months after operation. The VAS score, ODI, and Cobb angle at immediate after operation and at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). At last follow-up, the neural function of all patients improved significantly when compared with preoperative one (Z= –3.101, P=0.002). The ratio of no placement of titanium mesh cage was significantly higher in patients with more than 6 lesion segments (6/6, 100%) than in patients with less than 6 lesion segments (4/23, 17.4%) (χ2=14.374, P=0.000). And the ratio of placement of titanium mesh cage was not significantly different between the patients with the different locations of center focus (χ2=0.294, P=0.863). Conclusion For treating multiple segments of thoracolumbar tuberculosis, the method of posterior unilateral debridement with bone graft and internal fixation can decrease the damage of posterior spinal structures and surgical trauma.
Abstract Dual-blade plate is widely used in reconstruction of anterior stability of spine. Two hundred and ninety-eight cases were followed up since 1984. Among them, 181 cases were fractureof thoracolumbar spine; 63 cases were tuberculosis of thoracolumbar spine; 43 cases were tumor of thoracolumbar spine; 5 cases were spondylisthesis of lumbar spine; 2 cases were ankylosing spondylitis accompanied with gibbosity; 2 cases were adolescent vertebral epiphysis; I case was hemivertebra; I case was dysplasia of the first lumbar vertebra acompanied with gibbosity. Most cases were successful following operation, but in some cases, the results were unsuccessful, mainly due to the position of the dualblade plate in the vertebral body was not satisfactory. The mistakes most commonly occurred were one or two blades, or a part of the blade going into the intervertebral space, and less commonly seen was deviation of the dual -blade plate from itscorrect orientation or a little side-bent of the blade. Split of the vertebra and fall off of the dual-blade plate were happened in few cases. The causeswere analyzed and ways of prevention were provided in this article.
Objective To review current status of surgical treatment for angular kyphosis in spinal tuberculosis and provide reference for clinical treatment. Methods The literature on the surgical treatment for angular kyphosis of spinal tuberculosis in recent years was extensively reviewed and summarized from the aspects of surgical indications, surgical contraindications, surgical approach, selection of osteotomy, and perioperative management. Results Angular kyphosis of spine is a common complication in patients with spinal tuberculosis. If kyphosis progresses gradually, it is easy to cause neurological damage, deterioration, and delayed paralysis, which requires surgical intervention. At present, surgical approaches for angular kyphosis of the spine include anterior approach, posterior approach, and combined anterior and posterior approaches. Anterior approach can be performed for patients with severe spinal cord compression and small kyphotic Cobb angle. Posterior approach can be used for patients with large kyphotic Cobb angle but not serious neurological impairment. A combined anterior and posterior approaches is an option for spinal canal decompression and orthosis. Osteotomy for kyphotic deformity include Smith-Peterson osteotomy (SPO), pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO), vertebral column resection(VCR), vertebral column decancellation (VCD), posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR), deformed complex vertebral osteotomy (DCVO), and Y-shaped osteotomy. SPO and PSO are osteotomy methods with relatively low surgical difficulty and low surgical risks, and can provide 15°-30° angular kyphosis correction effect. VCR or PVCR is a representative method of osteotomy and correction. The kyphosis correction can reach 50° and is suitable for patients with severe angular kyphosis. VCD, DCVO, and Y-shaped osteotomy are emerging surgical techniques in recent years. Compared with VCR, the surgical risks are lower and the treatment effects also improve to varying degrees. Postoperative recovery is also a very important part of the perioperative period and should be taken seriously. Conclusion There is no consensus on the choice of surgical treatment for angular kyphosis in spinal tuberculosis. Osteotomy surgery are invasive, which is a problem that colleagues have always been concerned about. It is best to choose a surgical method with less trauma while ensuring the effectiveness.
【摘要】 目的 探讨低位下颈椎前方入路联合胸骨柄劈开术治疗颈胸段脊柱结核的手术方式及术后疗效。 方法 2002年3月-2009年7月收治颈胸段脊柱结核16例，男11例，女5例；年龄18~52岁，平均38岁。其中位于颈6-胸1者2例，颈7-胸1者5例，胸1-2者4例，胸2-3者3例，胸1-3者2例。神经功能Frankel分级为：B级4例，C级7例，D级3例，E级2例。手术行低位下颈椎前方入路联合胸骨柄劈开术，术中彻底清除结核肉芽组织、脓液、死骨并进行脊髓减压，取自体髂骨块植骨重建中前柱、前方钛板内固定。术后佩戴头颈胸支具6个月，正规抗痨18个月。术前后凸Cobb角为25~60°，平均为37.5°。 结果 全部患者均获得随访，随访时间2~8年，平均3年。均获得骨性融合，融合时间为5～8个月，无螺钉松动、脱落及钢板断裂等并发症发生。神经功能恢复按Frankel分级，平均改善3.6个级别；结核病变无复发，术后后凸Cobb角明显改善，为15～35°，平均22.6°，末次随访后凸角无明显丢失。1例术后出现暂时性声音嘶哑，术后1个月恢复。 结论 低位下颈椎前方入路联合胸骨柄劈开术治疗颈胸段脊柱结核，病灶显露充分，植骨内固定，重建脊柱稳定性，矫正后凸畸形可靠。【Abstract】 Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of cervico-thoracic junction spinal tuberculosis (CTJST) and to observe the therapeutic effect of lower anterior cervical approach combined with presternum-splitting approach on CTJST. Methods The clinical data of 16 patients with cervicothoracic junction spinal tuberculosis from Match 2002 to July 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the Frankel grades, four patients were in grade B, seven were in grade C, three were in grade D, and two were in grade E. There were 11 males and five females with a average age of 38 years ranging from 18 to 52 years. All patients underwent radical excision of epidural granulation tissue/abscess and necrotic bone, whilst a proper tricortical iliac crest autograft and anterior titanium plate were placed to reconstruct the anteromedian spinal column, followed by chemotherapy for 18 months and immobilization in a brace for six months. The mean Cobb angle was 37.5° (ranged from 25° to 60°) before surgery. Results All patients were followed up for two to eight years (three years on average), and got complete bone fusion within five to eight months postoperatively. There were no pull out and breakage of screws or plates.Spinal cord functional recovery improved on average 3.6 degree according Frankel standard, without recurrence of the disease or loss of Cobb angle till the last follow up. There was a statistically significant improvement in the Cobb angles from 22.6° to 37.5° (Plt;0.01) in average. However, two patients appeared transient hoarse voice after surgery, and the symptoms were alleviated one month after the operation. Conclusion Lower anterior cervical approach combined with presternum-splitting approach for CTJST may provide adequate exposure to the lesion, keep the bone graft with internal fixation and spinal stability, and correct the kyphosis.
Objective To study the clinical results of focal debridement and primary internal fixation with CD rod in treatment of multisegmental spinaltuberculosis.Methods From July 1999 to November 2002, 16 patients with multisegmental spinal tuberculosis were given focal debridement and primary internal fixation with CD rod trans sick vertebra. There were 9 males and 7 females, aging from 21 to 59 years. The course of disease was 2 to 11 months. The locations of lesion were T 6T 11 in 11 patients and T 10 -L2 in 5 patients.The involved vertebral bodies were 3 segments in 13 patients, 4 or more than 4 segments in 3 patients. There were 5 cases of Pott’s paralysis (according to Frankel classification system: 3 cases of degree C, 2 cases of degree D) and 4 cases of kyphosis and 2 cases of collapse. Focal debridement and internal fixation was performed in 1 or 2 incisions according to concrete conditions. Results All patients were followed up 11 months (6 months-3years), spinal tuberculosis was completely cured and the grafted bones were fused in all 16 patients. All patients obtainedprimary healing of the incision. Postoperative complication met with cerebrospinal fluid leakage in 1 case. After 6 months, 5 cases of paraplegia recovered. The kyphosis was corrected partly. No loose and dislocation of the nails and rods was found. Conclusion Focal debridement and primary internal fixation with CD rod can stabilize involved spinal segments, prevent and correct local deformity,and improve its curative ratio and fused ratio of grafted bone.
Objective To investigate the short-term effectiveness of the anterior and middle columns in thoracolumbar tuberculosis reconstructed with whole autogenous spinous process-laminar bone through posterior approach. Methods The retrospective study included 78 patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis who underwent posterior approach surgery and anterior and middle column bone graft reconstruction between January 2012 and May 2023. Based on the type of autogenous bone graft used, patients were divided into group A (whole autogenous spinous process-laminar bone graft, 38 cases) and group B (autogenous structural iliac bone graft, 40 cases). There was no significant difference of baseline data, such as age, gender, disease duration, involved segment of spinal tuberculosis, and preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), Oswestry disability index (ODI), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade, segmental kyphotic angle, and intervertebral height between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, hospital stays, ESR, CRP, VAS score, ODI, bone fusion time, ASIA grade for neurological status valuation, postoperative complications, change of segmental kyphotic angle, change of intervertebral height were recorded and compared between the two groups. Results The operation time in group A was significantly shorter than that in group B (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, and hospital stays between the two groups (P>0.05). All patients in the two groups were followed up 14-110 months (mean, 64.1 months); there was no significant difference in the follow-up time between the two groups (P>0.05). The ESR, CRP, ODI, and VAS score at each time point after operation in both groups significantly improved when compared with those before operation, and further improved with the extension of time, the differences were significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05) except that the VAS score of group A was significantly better than that of group B at 3 days after operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in fusion time between the two groups (P>0.05). The neurological function of most patients improved after operation, and there was no significant difference in ASIA grade between the two groups at last follow-up (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in segmental kyphosis angle and intervertebral height between the two groups at each time point (P>0.05), and no significant difference in segmental kyphosis angle, intervertebral height correction and loss were found between the two groups (P>0.05). In group A, there was 1 case of incision fat liquefaction and 1 case of incision infection; in group B, there was 1 case of deep venous thrombosis, 2 cases of pleural effusion, and 10 cases of pain in bone harvesting area; in both groups, there were 2 cases of gout caused by hyperuricemia. There was a significant difference in the incidence of pain in bone harvesting area between the two groups (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the incidence of other complications between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionWhole autogenous spinous process-laminar bone grafting is equivalent to structural iliac bone graft in reconstruction of the anterior and middle columns in thoracolumbar tuberculosis through posterior approach, effectively supporting the stability of the anterior and middle columns of the spine, while resulting in shorter operation time and less postoperative pain in bone harvesting area.
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the effectiveness of anterior versus posterior approaches with one-stage debridement and bone grafting for surgical treatment of spinal tuberculosis. MethodsDatabases including PubMed, MEDLINE, Ovid, Elsevier, CBM, WanFang Data, CNKI and VIP were electronically searched from 2004 to 2015 to collect relevant clinical studies about the effectiveness of anterior versus posterior approaches with one-stage debridement and bone grafting for surgical treatment of spinal tuberculosis. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies, and then meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsA total of 11 studies involving 1 063 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: correction of Cobb angle with the posterior approach was significantly larger than that of anterior approach (MD=-2.78, 95%CI -3.73 to -1.82, P<0.000 01); the allograft fusion time of anterior approach was shorter than that of posterior approach (MD=-0.21, 95%CI -0.35 to -0.08, P=0.002). But there were no significant differences between the two groups in operation time, intraoprative blood loss, loss of Cobb angle at final follow-up and time of total hospital stay (all P values >0.05). ConclusionPosterior approach can correct the Cobb angle significantly for the spinal tuberculosis patients with kyphosis, and anterior approach has a shorter allograft fusion time, but it is not able to correct the deformity of the patient to maintain the normal sequence of the spine. For the quantity and quality limitation of the included studies, this conclusion still needs to be proved by conducting more high quality studies.
ObjectiveTo explore the safety and effectiveness of polymethylmethacrylate-augmented screw fixation (PASF) in the treatment of elderly thoracolumbar tuberculosis combined with severe osteoporosis.MethodsThe clinical data of 20 elderly patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis who underwent PASF after anterior or posterior debridement and bone grafting and met the selection criteria between December 2012 and December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 males and 12 females with an average age of 68.5 years (range, 65-72 years). T value of bone mineral density was −4.2 to −3.6, with an average of −3.9. There were 12 cases of thoracic tuberculosis, 3 cases of thoracolumbar tuberculosis, and 5 cases of lumbar tuberculosis. The diseased segments involved T3-L4, including 11 cases of single-segment disease, 6 cases of double-segment disease, and 3 cases of multi-segment disease. The disease duration was 3-9 months, with an average of 6 months. The preoperative spinal nerve function of the patients was evaluated by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading. There were 2 cases of grade A, 5 cases of grade B, 6 cases of grade C, 4 cases of grade D, and 3 cases of grade E. Postoperative imaging examination was used to evaluate the bone graft fusion and paravertebral abscess absorption, and to measure the Cobb angle of the segment to evaluate the improvement of kyphosis. The levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were tested. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and ASIA grading were used to evaluate the effectivreness before operation, at 1 month after operation, and at last follow-up. The clinical cure of tuberculosis was also evaluated.ResultsAll operation successfully completed. The operation time was 154-250 minutes, with an average of 202 minutes; the intraoperative blood loss was 368-656 mL, with an average of 512 mL. All 20 patients were followed up 18-42 months, with an average of 26.8 months. The postoperative pain and symptoms of tuberculosis in all patients relieved, and the paravertebral abscess was absorbed, reaching the cure standard for spinal tuberculosis. All bone grafts fusion achieved within 1 year after operation. Only 1 case had asymptomatic bone cement leakage into the paravertebral veins, and the remaining patients had no serious complications such as bone cement leakage in the spinal canal, pulmonary embolism, and neurovascular injury. At last follow-up, spinal cord nerve function significantly improved when compared with preoperative one. Among them, ASIA grading were 7 cases of grade C, 8 cases of grade D, and 5 cases of grade E, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative one (Z=2.139, P=0.000). VAS score, ODI score, segmental Cobb angle, ESR, and CRP at 1 month after operation and at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between 1 month after operation and last follow-up (P>0.05). During the follow-up, no complications such as failure of internal fixation, proximal junctional kyphosis, or tuberculosis recurrence occurred.ConclusionFor elderly patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis, PASF treatment is safe and effective.