Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis of spine diagnosis and management: An institutional experience of 21 cases

We aimed to establish a standardized protocol for managing multidrug-resistant (MDR) spinal tuberculosis (TB), addressing the surgical options, ranging from computed tomography-guided biopsy to intraoperative sampling.

This study developed a treatment/management protocol based on an analysis of clinical, radiological, and postoperative outcomes for 21 patients with spinal MDR-TB. Over 24 months, 21 patients with multidrug-resistant spinal TB underwent the following testing: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), numerical rating scale (NRS), and the American Spinal Injury Association Scale. Radiological criteria were based upon a comparison of preoperative and 6-month to 2-year postoperative plain radiographs.

The 21 patients underwent guided biopsies (35%) or intraoperative sampling (65%). For the surgical cases, dorsal vertebrae were most frequently involved (75%), and 90% underwent posterior surgical procedures. Postoperatively, ESR, CRP, kyphosis angle, and NRS score were significantly reduced. The 3 MDR patients who failed treatment were transitioned to the extensively drug-resistant (XDR) protocol wherein bedaquiline, linezolid, cycloserine, and clofazimine were given after drug sensitivity testing drug regimen, needed no further surgery, and none exhibited additional neurological deterioration.

Regular clinical, laboratory, radiological, and outcome analysis is vital for following MDR spinal TB patients; early detection of relatively rare treatment failures (i.e., 3/21 patients in this series) allows for prompt initiation of XDR treatment, resulting in better outcomes.