Abstract

STUDY OF TUBERCULOSIS OF THE SPINE (POTT'S DISEASE) IN A GROUP OF SYRIAN POPULATION

Mayssoun Kudsi* and Nizar Daher

ABSTRACT

Background: Musculoskeletal involvement of tuberculosis is estimated in 1-13% of patients and Spinal tuberculosis, also known as “Pott's disease” accounts for half of bone and joint TB. Objective: To study the prevalence of Pott's disease and its characteristic in Syrian patients. Patients and methods: Clinical data of inpatients with STB in Al-Mousaat University Hospital, from 2009 to 2019, including general information, symptoms of TB, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, were collected and analyzed. The diagnosis was established according to clinical, laboratory, and imaging investigations. All patients were treated for 12–18 months, with, rifampicin (450 mg/day), isoniazid (300 mg/day), ethambutol (750 mg/day), and pyrazinamide (750 mg/day). Kidney function and liver function were monitored during the treatment. Indications for surgery were: poor response to medical treatment, bone destruction with severe or developing spinal deformity, progressive or severe neurological damage, and spinal instability. On hospital admission, indicators were collected and analyzed. Detailed clinical data, including, age, sex, occupation, local pain, radicular pain, STS, abscess, neurological injury, involved vertebrae, locations of lesions, concomitant PTB or diabetes, and treatment, were summarized. Follow-up information was obtained by telephone, and during return visits to the outpatient clinic. Ethical approval was applied. Results: Results of this study are discussed below.

Keywords: TB of the spine, Pott's disease.