title: Intervertebral focal surgery for the treatment of non-contiguous multifocal spinal tuberculosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy of intervertebral focal surgery by complete debridement, deformity correction, graft fusion, and internal fixation for patients with non-contiguous multifocal spinal tuberculosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 29 cases with non-contiguous multifocal spinal tuberculosis admitted to the hospital from January 2000 to January 2007 were treated by intervertebral focal surgery. There were 63 foci in 29 cases, averaging 2.2 foci per case, and 146 affected vertebral bodies, averaging 2.3 vertebral bodies per focus. Three cases had one normal intervertebral disc between two foci, and the other 26 cases had two or more normal intervertebral discs between two foci.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All cases were followed-up for an average of five years. The kyphosis showed a mean correction rate of 67.7% after surgery. A mean loss rate of correction of 8.2% was observed at the final follow-up. The levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein returned to normal in 27 cases on average at 5.8 months and bone union could be observed at five months after surgery. Eleven cases with nerve damage recovered to E grade at the final follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intervertebral focal surgery by complete debridement, deformity correction, graft fusion, and internal fixation for patients with non-contiguous multifocal spinal tuberculosis was feasible and effective.
authors.affiliation: Department of Spinal Surgery, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, 804 Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, People's Republic of China. shi_jiandang@163.com
authors.forename: Jian-Dang
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Zi-Li
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Guang-Qi
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.forename: Ning-Kui
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Niu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003646:Debridement / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D013131:Spine / Q000601:surgery*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult