Spinal Tuberculosis: A ten-year prospective study in a referral hospital at Eastern part of India

Spinal tuberculosis is a significant reason for neurologic deficits in overpopulated places in developing countries. It is the most common form of skeletal tuberculosis; it can involve any part of the vertebral column. The vertebral lesions may be congruous and may also be non-congruous at different levels. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are the mainstay of management. Contrast-enhanced MRI, tissue diagnosis, and multidrug chemotherapy are the most commonly required treatments, and surgery is necessary in selected cases to improve the outcome. Debridement and decompression with or without fusion, in the form of pedicular screw rod fixation, as an easy and quick procedure, helps to improve neurologic outcome in some cases. Surgery helps patients to be ambulatory early, and it also reduces pain early. Surgery can help patients return to their normal daily life and to work early. Radiological screening of the whole spine reduces the chance of missing the non-congruous lesions.