小切口单纯脓肿清除治疗脊柱结核112例分析

目的：探讨小切口单纯脓肿清除引流术治疗脊柱结核合并腰大肌脓肿及流注脓肿的方法、疗效及其临床意义。方法：在全身抗结核药物治疗的支持下，对112例脊柱结核合并腰大肌脓肿的患者采用小切口单纯寒性脓肿清除术，清除脓液、干酪及肉芽组织，同时用大量生理盐水冲洗局部脓腔，术后低位放置脓腔引流管。结果：脓肿清除术后患者结核中毒症状明显好转，102例一期治愈，5例术后形成脓腔积液．3例术后瘘管形成．2例术后复发行第二次手术。结论：小切口单纯脓肿清除创伤小、手术时间短，脓肿清除干净．对结核毒性反应强、体质差不能耐受大手术或骨性病灶破坏轻的患者是一种较好的治疗方法。     

后路病灶清除植骨内固定联合不同入路腰大肌脓肿清除局部化疗治疗胸腰椎结核北大核心CSCD

目的比较前、后路腰大肌脓肿清除及脓腔内局部化疗联合后路病灶清除植骨内固定治疗胸腰椎结核的临床疗效,探讨后路腰大肌脓肿清除的可行性。方法回顾分析2012年6月—2015年12月治疗的37例胸腰椎结核伴腰大肌脓肿患者临床资料。所有患者行后路病灶清除、植骨内固定术,根据腰大肌脓肿清除的手术入路不同分为A组(21例,行后路脓肿清除及脓腔内局部化疗)和B组(16例,行前路脓肿清除及脓腔内局部化疗)。两组患者性别、年龄、病程、病变节段、术前红细胞沉降率、术前C反应蛋白、腰大肌脓肿侧别、腰大肌脓肿最大横径及纵径、伴随脓肿、脓腔分隔情况、术前病变节段Cobb角、术前美国脊髓损伤协会(ASIA)分级等一般资料比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05),具有可比性。记录并比较两组患者手术时间、术中出血量、术后住院时间、脓肿吸收时间及骨融合时间;观察患者术前及末次随访时的病变节段Cobb角变化情况;采用ASIA分级评价脊髓神经功能。结果除B组手术时间显著长于A组(t=–2.985,P=0.005)外,两组间术中出血量、术后住院时间、脓肿吸收时间及骨融合时间比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。两组患者均获随访,随访时间18～47个月,平均31.1个月。术中及术后均无脑脊液漏发生。A组4例二次行前方脓肿清除置管化疗。末次随访时所有患者脓肿均吸收,红细胞沉降率及C反应蛋白均正常。两组患者末次随访时病变节段Cobb角均较术前显著改善(P<0.05),末次随访时两组间病变节段Cobb角以及矫正度比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。术前9例伴脊髓神经功能损害者中,末次随访时神经功能均改善,与术前比较差异有统计学意义(Z=–2.716,P=0.007)。结论治疗胸腰椎结核伴腰大肌脓肿,单纯后路病灶清除、植骨内固定联合脓肿清除及脓腔内局部化疗可取得良好疗效,但特殊情况下仍需行前路脓肿清除。     

经皮穿刺置管引流结合抗痨治疗结核性髂腰肌脓肿

目的：评价B超引导下经皮穿刺置管引流(PCD)结合全身抗痨治疗结核性髂腰肌脓肿的适应证和临床效果。方法：回顾分析：1997年2月～2001年10月PCD治疗的结核性髂腰肌脓肿36例(48个脓肿)，影像学证实脊柱结核34例，椎体破坏轻，不伴严重后凸畸形、椎体不稳或截瘫。抗结核化疗时间1年～1．5年。结果：引流时间8天～30天，平均14天。脓肿首次治愈率85．4％(41／48)，失败7个，3个脓肿复发经再次置管引流后缓解，3例(4个脓肿)椎体病变加重，予以切开手术治疗。其中25例随防14月～5年，平均40月，远期治愈率92％(23／25)，2例复发，予以手术治疗。未见病变椎体高度丢失或严重后凸畸形。未见严重并发症。结论：脊柱结核合并髂腰肌脓肿，若椎体破坏轻、无椎管受累、以脓肿病变为主，B超引导下PCD结合抗痨化疗是一种安全、有效、简单的治疗方法．     

后路病灶清除植骨内固定联合不同入路腰大肌脓肿清除局部化疗治疗胸腰椎结核

目的比较前、后路腰大肌脓肿清除及脓腔内局部化疗联合后路病灶清除植骨内固定治疗胸腰椎结核的临床疗效,探讨后路腰大肌脓肿清除的可行性。方法回顾分析2012年6月—2015年12月治疗的37例胸腰椎结核伴腰大肌脓肿患者临床资料。所有患者行后路病灶清除、植骨内固定术,根据腰大肌脓肿清除的手术入路不同分为A组(21例,行后路脓肿清除及脓腔内局部化疗)和B组(16例,行前路脓肿清除及脓腔内局部化疗)。两组患者性别、年龄、病程、病变节段、术前红细胞沉降率、术前C反应蛋白、腰大肌脓肿侧别、腰大肌脓肿最大横径及纵径、伴随脓肿、脓腔分隔情况、术前病变节段Cobb角、术前美国脊髓损伤协会(ASIA)分级等一般资料比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05),具有可比性。记录并比较两组患者手术时间、术中出血量、术后住院时间、脓肿吸收时间及骨融合时间;观察患者术前及末次随访时的病变节段Cobb角变化情况;采用ASIA分级评价脊髓神经功能。结果除B组手术时间显著长于A组(t=–2.985,P=0.005)外,两组间术中出血量、术后住院时间、脓肿吸收时间及骨融合时间比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患者均获随访,随访时间18～47个月,平均31.1个月。术中及术后均无脑脊液漏发生。A组4例二次行前方脓肿清除置管化疗。末次随访时所有患者脓肿均吸收,红细胞沉降率及C反应蛋白均正常。两组患者末次随访时病变节段Cobb角均较术前显著改善(P0.05),末次随访时两组间病变节段Cobb角以及矫正度比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。术前9例伴脊髓神经功能损害者中,末次随访时神经功能均改善,与术前比较差异有统计学意义(Z=–2.716,P=0.007)。结论治疗胸腰椎结核伴腰大肌脓肿,单纯后路病灶清除、植骨内固定联合脓肿清除及脓腔内局部化疗可取得良好疗效,但特殊情况下仍需行前路脓肿清除。     

经皮穿刺病灶清除灌注冲洗局部化疗治疗脊柱结核脓肿

目的:评价CT引导下经皮穿刺微创病灶清除后灌注冲洗局部化疗治疗脊柱结核脓肿的疗效。方法:31例脊柱结核并脓肿患者,其中7例为脊柱结核病灶清除术后复发者,单侧脓肿25例,双侧脓肿6例。7例有神经功能障碍,Frankel分级D级5例,C级2例。所有患者在全身化疗的同时,行CT引导下经皮穿刺微创病灶清除术,术后原结核病灶部位及脓肿部位放置灌注冲洗管进行灌注冲洗和持续局部化疗。结果:全组病灶清除及灌注冲洗管放置顺利,1例因冲洗管脱落改为开放手术治疗;交叉感染1例,经引流及应用敏感抗生素后治愈;1例治疗后1年复发椎弓根结核,给予局部清创,继续局部化疗3个月后痊愈。局部化疗时间53±23d,随访18±6个月,患者的疼痛和脓肿消失,恢复正常工作或生活。结论:经皮穿刺病灶清除灌注冲洗局部化疗治疗不合并严重畸形和严重神经功能障碍的脊柱结核脓肿效果较好。     

后腹腔镜治疗腰椎结核并椎旁脓肿形成３例报告

目的 探讨应用后腹腔镜治疗腰椎结核并椎旁脓肿形成的疗效。 方法 自2011年～2015年来,我院采用后腹腔镜手术方法治疗腰椎结核并椎旁脓肿形成3例。所有患者术前进行抗结核治疗4周,术后抗结核治疗18月。 结果 对所有患者进行了随访,时间为2年。所有患者均无复发、皮肤窦道及后凸畸形发生,相应椎体均自发融合。 结论 应用后腹腔镜方法治疗腰椎结核并椎旁脓肿形成的患者疗效良好,值得推广。     

一期病灶清除植骨选择性内固定治疗脊柱结核伴神经损害

目的探讨一期病灶清除、植骨、选择性内固定治疗脊柱结核伴神经损害的疗效。方法对18例脊柱结核伴神经症状患者术前均行≥3周抗结核治疗,手术行前路、后路或肾切口入路等一期病灶清除植骨及选择性内固定。术后继续抗结核治疗1年。结果患者神经损害症状术后均有不同程度恢复。1例胸腰段(T12～L1)结核患者切口延迟愈合,经清创及调整药物结合换药愈合。患者植骨均融合。复查X线片未发现脊柱失稳现象,内固定物无断裂。随访期内未见结核复发及脊柱畸形发生。结论在有效抗结核药物基础上一期病灶清除、植骨、选择性内固定治疗脊柱结核伴神经损害是安全、有效的方法。     

CT引导下置管引流局部强化化疗治疗结核性腰大肌脓肿和椎旁脓肿

目的：探讨CT引导下置管穿刺引流、局部强化化疗治疗结核性腰大肌脓肿和椎旁脓肿的安全性和有效性。方法纳入脊柱结核伴腰大肌脓肿和椎旁脓肿患者35例,进行CT引导下置管穿刺引流、局部强化化疗,同时行口服药物全身化疗18个月,每个月监测肝功、血沉,术后1、3、6、9、12、18、24个月复查,分析治疗前后临床表现、脓肿吸收、病椎愈合情况。结果平均随访时间25个月（18～36个月）,引流时间3周～3个月,35例均获得临床治愈,治疗前疼痛视觉模拟量表（visual analogue scale, VAS）评分平均3．6分（2～7分）,最后一次随访VAS评分平均1．1分（0～3分）,无神经功能障碍及其他并发症。结论 CT引导下置管引流、局部强化化疗治疗结核性腰大肌脓肿和椎旁脓肿安全有效,费用低、创伤小,适应证得当可代替病灶清除术。     

病灶清除+同种异体骨移植治疗小儿脊柱结核

目的 探讨通过前方入路进行小儿胸腰段脊柱结核病灶清除、取患儿母亲髂骨进行同种异体骨移植的疗效.方法 对8例小儿胸腰段脊柱结核患者采用前方入路,胸膜、腹膜外进入暴露病灶,彻底清除结核肉芽组织、脓液、死骨、病变坏死椎间盘,取同种异体骨(患儿母亲髂骨)移植重建患儿脊柱前柱,术后石膏外固定保护3-6月,正规抗结核1年以上.结果 随访9月至3年,8例植骨均融合,无排异反应发生,无复发、畸形或截瘫加重,无假关节形成.患儿生长发育正常,能够正常生活.结论 前方入路清除小儿脊柱结核病灶,取其母亲髂骨移植重建患儿脊柱前柱,诱导新骨生成,不影响患儿生长发育,疗效确切.     

一期前后联合入路手术治疗胸腰椎脊柱结核

目的探讨胸、腰椎结核的手术治疗方式。方法42例胸、腰椎结核患者，男24例，女18例；年龄为22～73岁，平均38．2岁。其中胸椎结核11例，胸腰段结核14例，L2以下腰椎结核17例。术前采用四至六联正规抗结核治疗至少3周，所有患者均采用后路椎弓根螺钉系统矫形内固定、椎板间植骨（人工骨），同期行前路病灶清除联合自体髂骨植骨术。前路手术切口根据病变节段分别采用经胸腔入路、胸膜外腹膜外入路、经腹膜外肾切口、经腹直肌旁腹膜外切口及腹正中腹膜外入路。平均手术时间为230min，术中平均出血量为550ml。术后继续抗结核治疗，术后4周下地行走。结果所有患者均获得8～46个月随访，平均24．3个月。全部患者植骨融合，腰背痛症状缓解，神经功能明显恢复，复查血沉及CRP均正常。结论对于非手术治疗效果不佳的胸、腰椎结核患者，采用后路矫形内固定、前路病灶清除植骨的一期手术方式可获得满意的疗效。     

胸、腰椎脊柱结核一期病灶清除前方钛网支撑矫形内固定

目的探讨胸、腰椎结核一期病灶清除、脊髓减压、前方畸形矫正、植骨融合内固定的疗效。方法本组19例,男11例,女8例;平均年龄43.3岁(15～66岁)。病变部位:胸椎8例,胸、腰椎7例,腰椎4例。2个椎体13例,3个椎体5例,4个椎体1例,无跳跃型。椎旁脓肿15例,髂窝流注性脓肿4例。本组患者皆伴有后凸畸形,平均Cobb角44.7°。术前血沉正常5例,其余为22～127mm/h。本组患者术前应用三联(异烟肼、利福平、链霉素)化疗2周,手术采用一期病灶清除、脊髓减压、前方钛网支撑畸形矫正、植骨融合内固定术。术后化疗持续10个月,定期进行脊柱影像学检查和血沉、肝功能检查。结果刀口皆为Ⅰ期愈合,无窦道。最先解除的症状是疼痛,随访8～29个月(平均17个月),畸形矫正、植骨融合满意,未见内固定失败;后凸角度平均矫正21.3°,脊髓功能皆有不同程度地恢复。3例胸、腰段结核术中出现胸膜破裂,1例术后气胸;4例出现神经根刺激症状,1例钛网位置欠佳。无脓胸发生和迟发性脊髓功能丧失。术后血沉恢复正常时间为2～8个月。结论胸、腰椎脊柱结核一期病灶清除、脊髓减压、植骨融合,同时前方钛网支撑畸形矫正和脊柱稳定性重建,在临床上取得了满意的疗效。未见使用在脊柱结核治疗过程中的支撑物和内固定物产生的不良反应。     

Thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis with psoas abscesses treated by one-stage posterior transforaminal lumbar debridement, interbody fusion, posterior instrumentation, and postural drainage

Purpose

Retrospective analysis of the clinical efficacy and feasibility of patients with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis with psoas abscesses treated by one-stage posterior transforaminal lumbar debridement, interbody fusion, posterior instrumentation, and postural drainage.

Method

A total of 18 patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis (TB), between February 2007 and February 2011, underwent one-stage posterior transforaminal lumbar debridement, interbody fusion, posterior instrumentation, and postural drainage. And the clinical efficacy was evaluated based on surgery duration time, the blood loss, the postural drainage of time, neurological status that was recorded by American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale, the fate of bone graft fusion, kyphosis angle, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP), which were collected at certain time.

Results

The average follow-up period was 34 months (range 18–48 months). 18 patients suffered from seriously neurological deficits pre-operatively, of which 16 patients returned to normal at final follow-up. The surgery duration time was 197 ± 37.9 min, and the blood loss was 815 ± 348.5 ml. The postural drainage of time was 7.2 ± 2.7 days. The psoas abscesses disappeared in all cases, within the time range of 6–9 months (mean 7.4 ± 1.2 months). All patients of the grafted bones were thoroughly fused, with a fusion time ranging from 4 to 12 months (mean 7.8 months). Kyphosis angle was 44.32 ± 7.26° on average pre-operative and returned to 11.72 ± 2.85° at 6 weeks after operation; kyphosis angle was 13.10 ± 2.39° at final follow-up. The values of ESR and CRP were significant declined at 6 weeks post-operative, and returned to normal levels at final follow-up.

Conclusion

With standardized anti-TB chemotherapy, thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis with psoas abscesses could be effectively treated by one-stage posterior transforaminal lumbar debridement, interbody fusion, posterior instrumentation, and postural drainage.     

经单侧多裂肌和最长肌间隙入路一期病灶清除植骨融合内固定术治疗胸腰椎结核

目的探讨经单侧多裂肌和最长肌间隙入路一期病灶清除植骨融合内固定术治疗胸腰椎结核的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2011年3月—2015年10月采用经单侧多裂肌和最长肌间隙入路一期病灶清除植骨融合内固定术治疗的25例胸腰椎结核患者临床资料。病变节段位于T_(10,11) 7例、T_(11,12) 10例、T_(12)～L_1 5例、L_(4,5) 3例。合并腰大肌脓肿4例,合并椎管内脓肿3例。按美国脊髓损伤协会(ASIA)分级标准,神经功能C级4例,D级2例,E级19例。记录患者术前、术后3个月及末次随访时后凸Cobb角、Oswestry功能障碍指数(ODI),红细胞沉降率(ESR)。末次随访时采用Bridwell标准评价植骨融合情况,并记录ASIA分级情况。结果全部手术均顺利完成,术口甲级愈合,术中发生硬膜囊撕裂1例,无窦道形成,未出现严重手术并发症。所有患者随访15～22个月,平均18.1个月,末次随访时均获得骨性融合。术后3个月及末次随访时后凸Cobb角、ODI及ESR均较术前明显改善,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);术前6例伴神经损伤症状的患者,除1例由C级恢复至D级,其余均恢复为E级。术后未见内固定器断裂、松脱及矫正度丢失等情况。结论采用经单侧多裂肌和最长肌间隙入路一期病灶清除植骨融合内固定术治疗短节段胸腰椎结核安全、有效。     

Laparoscopic drainage of bilateral tuberculous psoas abscesses

Psoas abscess secondary to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is rare in industrialized countries. Standard treatment options for psoas abscess of any etiology include percutaneous drainage under radiographic guidance and surgery, which is reserved for failure of conservative therapy. A case of bilateral tuberculous psoas abscesses is reported and a surgical method of drainage utilizing a totally extraperitoneal laparoscopic approach is described.     

胸腰段结核术后未愈原因探讨及对策

目的:分析胸腰段结核术后未愈的原因并探讨其防治对策。方法:对2008年1月至2011年12月收治的12例胸腰段脊柱结核术后未愈患者进行回顾性分析,男5例,女7例;年龄42～65岁,平均51.3岁;初次手术时均有不同程度的胸腰段骨质破坏、椎旁脓肿形成、后凸畸形及神经功能损害,其中11例行病灶清除植骨融合内固定术,1例行病灶清除加自体髂骨移植术。术后2～6个月分别发现内固定松动、融合失败、椎旁脓肿形成及血沉升高而再次入院。予以调整抗痨方案,其中2例予多次脓肿穿刺利福平针局部灌注治疗,10例行再次手术病灶清除及调整内固定治疗。结果:经1～2.5年(平均1.8年)随访。9例最终获得治愈。3例术后2～4个月又发现血沉升高,椎旁脓肿形成再次住院治疗,脓肿培养发现对2种以上药物耐药,调整抗痨方案后,治疗效果仍不理想。结论:术前抗痨不充分、营养状况不良,术中病灶清除不彻底、固定方式不合理,术后病灶引流不畅、抗痨不规则及结核杆菌耐药是造成胸腰段结核术后不愈的主要原因。术前应全面评估患者局部及全身状况,制定个体化的手术方案,确保术中彻底清除病灶、重建脊柱稳定、解除脊髓压迫,配合术后有效、足程、规则、联合化疗是保证脊柱结核治愈的重要对策。     

术前经皮置管引流治疗腰椎结核合并腰大肌脓肿的可行性研究

目的:通过比较两种不同方法治疗腰椎结核伴腰大肌脓肿,探讨术前经皮置管引流的临床疗效。方法:将2015年1月至2017年1月收治的符合纳入标准的腰椎结核伴腰大肌脓肿36患者纳入研究,按照不同的治疗方法将患者分为A、B两组,均给予标准抗结核治疗。A组入院后立即行腰大肌脓肿术前经皮置管引流,B组腰大肌脓肿无特殊处理,两组患者经3周抗结核治疗后复查红细胞沉降率(ESR)和C-反应蛋白(CRP),B组2例患者因复查ESR和CRP无降低需暂缓手术而排除,最终两组共34例患者纳入研究。A组18例,其中男10例,女8例;年龄24～73(42.5±10.2)岁;B组16例,其中男9例,女7例;年龄23～75(42.3±9.8)岁。两组患者均行后路椎弓根螺钉内固定,前路椎体病灶清除、植骨融合术。对比分析前路手术出血量、手术时间、前路切口长度,术后肛门排气时间、VAS评分、Cobb角、ESR、CRP变化及窦道形成情况。结果:34例患者均获随访,时间6～21个月,平均13个月。至末次随访,均未见混合感染、结核复发及椎弓根螺钉松动、退钉发生。A组平均手术时间、前路手术出血量和前路切口长度少于B组(P0.05)。A组肛门排气时间低于B组(P0.05)。ESR、CRP改善程度在抗结核3周、术后1周A组优于B组(P0.05),术后1、6个月两组差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。A组窦道形成1例,B组窦道形成5例,两组患者窦道形成率差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。术后1个月两组患者的VAS疼痛评分及Cobb角均有所改善(P0.05),组间比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。术后脊髓神经损伤均有改善,组间比较差异无统计学意义。结论:术前经皮置管引流是治疗腰椎结核伴腰大肌脓肿安全可行的方法,能增加术前抗结核效果,减少手术创伤,降低术后并发症的发生,可在临床中推荐应用。     

经Wiltse入路病灶清除并椎间非结构性植骨融合内固定术治疗单节段胸腰椎结核

目的 探讨经Wiltse入路病灶清除并椎间非结构性植骨治疗单节段胸腰椎结核的可行性及其临床疗效.方法 2016年6月—2019年8月,四川大学华西医院资阳医院采用经Wiltse入路病灶清除并椎间非结构性植骨治疗单节段胸腰椎结核患者24例,所有患者术前均规范抗结核药物治疗2～4周.记录手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量及术中输注红细胞悬液单位数,以及术前、术后1周和末次随访时疼痛视觉模拟量表(VAS)评分、Cobb角和红细胞沉降率(ESR),观察神经功能缓解情况和植骨融合情况.结果 所有手术顺利完成.所有患者随访超过6个月.手术时间为(267±35)min,术中出血量为(490±160)mL,术中输红细胞悬液(1.3±0.2)个单位,术后引流量为(180±20)mL.末次随访时所有患者VAS评分、Cobb角、ESR均较术前显著改善,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);5例术前脊髓神经功能障碍者术后均有所改善,术前Frankel分级C级1例恢复至D级,D级4例均恢复至E级.术后复查影像学资料示植骨均融合,无内固定松动、窦道形成或结核复发等情况发生.结论 经Wiltse入路病灶清除并椎间非结构性植骨治疗单节段胸腰椎结核临床疗效满意.     

One-stage anterior interbody autografting and instrumentation in primary surgical management of thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis

There are few articles in the literature concerning anterior instrumentation in the surgical management of spinal tuberculosis in the exudative stage. So we report here 23 cases of active thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis treated by one-stage anterior interbody autografting and instrumentation to verify the importance of early reconstruction of spinal stability and to evaluate the results of one-stage interbody autografting and anterior instrumentation in the surgical management of the exudative stage of throracolumbar spinal tuberculosis. Twenty-three patients, including two children (9 and 15 years old, respectively) and 21 adults with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis were treated surgically. T9 to L4 spinal segments were affected, and MRI/CT showed evident collapse of the vertebrae because of tuberculous destruction and paravertebral abscess. Neurological deficits were found in 15 patients. Before surgery, patients received standard anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy for 2 to 3 weeks. Under general endotracheal anaesthesia, the patients were placed in right recumbent positions, and a transthoracic, lateral extracavitary or extrapleural approach was chosen according to the tuberculosis lesion segment. After exposure, the tuberculous lesion region, including the collapsed vertebrae and in-between intervertebral disc, was almost completely resected in order to release the segmental spinal cord. Then, autologous iliac, rib or fibular graft was harvested to complete interbody fusion, and an anterior titanium-alloy plate-screw system was used to reconstruct the stability of the affected segments. Anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy was continued for at least 9 months, and the patients were supported with thoracolumbosacral orthosis for 6 months after surgery. All patients were followed up for an average of 2 years. All 23 cases were healed without chronic sinus formation or any recurrence of tuberculosis during the follow-up period. Spinal fusion occurred at a mean of 3.8 months after surgery. Of all patients with neurological deficits, 14 patients showed obvious improvement; only one patient with Frankel C lesion remained unchanged, but none of the patients got worse. During the follow-up period, a mean of 18 degrees of kyphosis correction was achieved after surgery in the adult group. Moderate progressive kyphosis because of this procedure fusion occurred postoperatively in a 9-year-old child after 2 1/2 years; another 15-year-old child did not demonstrate this phenomenon. Except for the early loosening of one screw in two cases (which did not affect the reconstruction of spinal stability), no other complications associated with this procedure were found during follow-up. Early reconstruction of spinal stability plays an important role in the surgical management of spinal tuberculosis. One-stage anterior interbody autografting and instrumentation in the surgical management of the exudative stage of spinal tuberculosis show more advantages in selected patients, but supplementary posterior fusion should be considered to prevent postoperative kyphosis when this procedure is performed in children.This article was presented at the Conference of Eurospine 2001, Gothenburg, Sweden.     

Unusual cases of tuberculous psoas abcesses

Summary The authors report three cases of tuberculous psoas abscesses in which either the diagnosis was problematic, and the treatment difficult, or the location and extension of the abscess was unusual. In the first case the long duration of the abscess led to condensation of its purulent content and it developed an extremely callous and sclerotic abscess wall which prevented the collapse of the abscess cavity and made it incurable. In the second case little brain tuberculomas were misdiagnosed as multiple metastases. The patient's increasing low back pains drew attention to the lumbar spine and further examination revealed destruction of two vertebral bodies accompanied by a right psoas abscess. CT guided percutaneous drainage emptied the abscess. Antituberculous drug therapy led not only to the healing of the vertebral process but to the disappearance of the brain tuberculomas. In the third cases giant bilateral psoas abscesses were caused by a relatively minor tuberculous destruction of the lumbar spine. The abscess on the left side sank to the trochanteric region and in between the adductor muscles. Exploration of both psoas and thigh abscesses in one session led to the quick recovery of the patient. The diagnosis of all three cases was proved by bacteriolgy and in the first and third cases by histology as well.