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Thoracolumbar Tuberculosis: Implications For Appropriate Management Based On Disease Location And Proposal Of A Novel Scoring System, Shahryar Noordin, Salim Allana, Tashfeen Ahmad, Zafar Sajjad, Khabir Ahmad, Ather Enam, Riaz Hussain Lakdawala

Section of Orthopaedic Surgery

Objective: To identify factors indicating disease severity in patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis requiring surgical intervention.
Design: Medical charts of patients who underwent surgery for thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis from 1990-2005 were reviewed. Patients with different levels of disease were compared in terms of neurological deficits, duration of symptoms, previous antituberculous therapy, nutritional status and associated co-morbids.
Results: Ninety-three patients aged 7-77 years (mean age 40 years) were included. Thoracic spine was involved in 80% of operated patients, and lumbar spine in 20%. Severe neurological impairment (Frankel A to C) was present in 68% of patients with thoracic disease, as …