Management of Tuberculous Infection of the Spine

• Main Authors: Pankaj Kandwal, Vijayaraghavan G., Arvind Jayaswal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korean Spine Society 2016-08-01
• Series: Asian Spine Journal
• Subjects: Spinal tuberculosis; Posterior only vertebral column resection; Anterior instrumentation; Posterior instrumentation; Minimal invasive spine surgery
• Online Access: http://www.asianspinejournal.org/upload/pdf/asj-10-792.pdf

Spinal tuberculosis accounts for nearly half of all cases of musculoskeletal tuberculosis. It is primarily a medical disease and treatment consists of a multidrug regimen for 9–12 months. Surgery is reserved for select cases of progressive deformity or where neurological deficit is not improved by anti-tubercular treatment. Technology refinements and improved surgical expertise have improved the operative treatment of spinal tuberculosis. The infected spine can be approached anteriorly or posteriorly, in a minimally invasive way. We review the various surgical techniques used in the management of spinal tuberculosis with focus on their indications and contraindications.