Spinal brace in tuberculosis of spine.
OBJECTIVE
To present our experience in the management of 22 patients with thoracolumbar spine tuberculosis (TB) using a chemotherapy regimen and locally custom-made spinal brace.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients with thoracolumbar spine TB had been treated conservatively by chemotherapy and locally custom-made spinal brace and followed for 36-48 months from June 1996 to June 2000 in the Department of Orthopedics and Trauma, Algamhoria Teaching Hospital, Aden, Republic of Yemen. In 14 cases, 2 vertebrae were involved, whereas in 8 cases involvement was only of one vertebra. All had persistent back pain: 2 had neurological deficit, Frankel grade A and B (9%), and 12 (54%) had gibbus deformity.


RESULTS
At the end of the observation period, all patients had no pain (based on the adjective rating scale). Fourteen thoracic and 3 psoas abscesses resolved by 18 months. Four cases (18%) had deterioration of the angle of kyphosis. Five cases (22.5%) had progressive vertebral loss. Twelve cases (84%) had bony fusion at 36 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Chemotherapy regimen and locally custom-made spinal brace is not costly, needs neither admission nor surgical intervention that demands skills and experience and can be recommended for uncomplicated thoracolumbar spinal TB.
Alwali
AbdulNasser A
AA
Department of Orthopedics & Trauma, University of Aden, Republic of Yemen. alnasser@y.net.ye
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001915:Braces; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000628:therapy*; D015006:Yemen
D000995:Antitubercular Agents