Behaviour of the kyphotic angle in spinal tuberculosis.
We followed 70 adult patients with spinal tuberculosis for a minimum of 2 years. Forty patients were treated by ambulant multi-drug chemotherapy (group A), and 30 with neurological complications (group B) were treated by antero-lateral decompression and chemotherapy. We studied the angle of spinal kyphosis as calculated on lateral spinal X-ray by the modified Konstam's method. The angle at final follow-up was compared with the pre-treatment angle. The relationship between the amount of initial vertebral loss, the predicted kyphotic angle and the observed kyphotic angle was analysed. Mean initial vertebral loss, mean pre-treatment angle and mean observed kyphotic angle in group A were 0.77 degrees, 24.3 degrees and 31.75 degrees respectively, with a mean increase in angle of 7.4 degrees. In group B, the readings were 0.67, 25.9 degrees and 26.8 degrees respectively, with a mean increase in angle of 0.9 degrees. Kyphotic deformity continued to progress until 2 years' follow-up. Progression was more pronounced in the non-operative group.
Jain
A K
AK
Department of Orthopaedics, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, 110095 Shahdara, Delhi, India. draniljain@hotmail.com
Aggarwal
P K
PK
Arora
A
A
Singh
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000628:therapy*