OUTCOME OF CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT IN CARIES SPINE

Abstract

Bachground: Tuberculosis remains endemic and major public-health problem in most part of the world. Despite the reduction in the prevalence of the tuberculosis and the advent of new drugs for tuberculosis, the incidence of extra pulmonary tuberculosis continues to increase at world level. In spite of all the advancements regarding diagnosis, treatment and total control of many diseases, this slow but grave disease still affects considerable number of cases and makes them disabled and even paralyzed. Objective: To assess the outcome of conservative treatment in caries spine. Design: Descriptive case series study. Duration of Study with Dates: One year (1st March, 2009 to 28th February, 2010) Methodology: History and clinical examination performed for sinus, abscess, effectiveness of chemotherapy and biplane X-rays of affected area of seventy three patients were taken. Patients followed-up and outcome was ascertain favorable according to British Medical Research Council if there were no symptom of pain, no sinus or abscess on clinical examination and radiological healing of spinal lesion at the end of one year. Results: Out of 73 patients, 28 were males and 45 were females between 18-60 years. According to site of lesion thoracic spine was commonly involved (36 patients), lumbar spine in 23 patients followed by thorocolumbar junction in 14 patients. At end of follow-up, 55 (75%) patients achieved favourable status and 18 (25%) patients had unfavourable status. Conclusion: Current study gave uniformly echo the fact that spinal tuberculosis is a “medical condition” and can be effectively treated by conservative treatment.