Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: February | Volume: 7 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 31-36
Management of Spinal Tuberculosis in the North-Eastern Region of India
Dr. Mrinal Bhuyan1, Dr. Abinash Dutta2, Dr. Deep Dutta2, Dr. Hrishikesh Choudhury3, Dr. Shashank Sharma3
1Associate Professor, 2Senior Resident, 3Assistant Professor,
Department of Neurosurgery, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati -781032,
Assam, India
Corresponding Author: Dr. Mrinal Bhuyan
ABSTRACT
Background: North East India has a high burden of tuberculous disease. Spinal tuberculosis is difficult to diagnose and managed with medical treatment. This study was carried out to document the clinical features and diagnostic modalities of spinal tuberculosis in North East India.
Methods: Symptoms and investigations were recorded for all patients diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis. They were followed up with anti-tubercular treatment (ATT) according to standard guidelines. X-ray and MRI findings were recorded for each patient.
Results: Of 70 patients with spinal tuberculosis, backache was the commonest presenting feature (84%), 42.85% had lower limb neurological deficits, gibbus in 35.71% and kyphotic deformity was recorded in 21.42%. MRI detected end plate sclerosis/erosion in 52.86%.
Conclusion: Diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis is challenging in the developing world. However chronic backache and specific radiological features can be useful in resource limited settings.
Key words: tuberculosis, spinal infections, extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, skeletal tuberculosis.