Granulomatous Infection of the Spine: Current Treatment Strategies for Mycobacterium tuberculosis

摘要

Incidence of tuberculosis (TB) of the spinal column has seen a steady increase in developed countries over the last few years. Patients harboring the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and immigration patterns are potential causes of the rise in incidence. Current treatment options, including pharmacological and surgical interventions, are reviewed. Appropriately aggressive surgical approaches can be used to protect neurologic function and reconstruct the unstable spinal column. Circumferential fusion, which is used in pyogenic infection and tumor spinal surgery, may offer the best spinal reconstruction. Using a combination of conservative and surgical interventions, the control of TB-induced neurologic dysfunction and spinal instability can be accomplished.