Computed Tomography-Guided Catheterization Drainage to Cure Spinal Tuberculosis With Individualized Chemotherapy

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Infectious Diseases
• Radiology

Background:

• Spinal tuberculosis (TB) can cause paravertebral abscesses, posing treatment challenges.
• Effective management of these abscesses is crucial to prevent complications and improve patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of individualized chemotherapy delivered through percutaneous catheter drainage for spinal TB-associated paravertebral abscesses.
• To assess treatment outcomes including clinical healing, recurrence rates, and impact on inflammatory markers and functional status.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 48 patients with spinal TB and paravertebral abscesses treated between 2009 and 2012.
• Treatment involved individualized chemotherapy administered via computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous catheterization.
• Data collected included abscess location, clinical healing, recurrence, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), visual analog scale (VAS), kyphotic angle, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).

Main Results:

• All 48 patients achieved clinical healing with no recurrence of paravertebral abscesses.
• Significant reductions were observed in ESR, VAS scores, kyphotic angle, and ODI.
• While CRP initially increased post-treatment, it was significantly lower at the final follow-up; no neurological impairment occurred.

Conclusions:

• CT-guided catheterization for continuous individualized chemotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for spinal TB with paravertebral abscesses.
• The approach demonstrates promising results in achieving clinical resolution and improving patient function.
• Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in larger cohorts.