title: Video-assisted thoracic surgery diagnosis of thoracic spinal tuberculosis.
abstract: Tuberculous spondylitis is rare in economically well-developed countries. MRI is the most sensitive radiologic method of diagnosis. CT-guided fine needle aspiration can be an appropriate method for obtaining samples for culture, with positive cultures in 25 to 89% of cases. However, it can take >6 weeks for specimens to grow, and it is essential to have adequate culture and sensitivity studies for the diagnosis and treatment of mycobacterial diseases. We propose a minimally invasive diagnostic approach that ensures that adequate surgical specimens are obtained prior to initiating treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland. Dusmet@chuv.hospvd.ch
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dusmet
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Halkic
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Corpataux
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*