title: Tuberculous spondylitis in adults: diagnosis and treatment.
abstract: A retrospective study of 23 patients with spinal tuberculosis (TB) was conducted, with special attention to the diagnosis and method of treatment. Computerised tomography (CT) was found to be the diagnostic radiological modality of choice. Triple therapy with the new anti-tuberculous drugs and posterior or posteriolateral decompression succeeded in decompressing the cord and eliminating the tuberculous lesion in all cases. The outcome was comparable to series where anterior decompression was adopted. None of the patients required spinal fusion. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was the most consistent blood test in suggesting the diagnosis and was the best tool for evaluating a patient's response to treatment. The average hospital stay was only 17 days, which speaks favourably for the surgical management of tuberculous spondylitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical & Surgical Neurology, Erfan Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi-Arabia.
authors.forename: N I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Azzam
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tammawy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents