Conservative treatment of spinal tuberculosis in a retrospective cohort study over 20-year period: high eradication rate and successful health status can be expected

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) which mainly cause lung primarily TB, can also affect the musculoskeletal system. Spine involvement occurs in 50% of the cases and neurologic deficit and kyphotic deformity may occur. The choice of conservative or surgical management of spinal TB in the absence of neurologic deficits remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to investigate the outcome and the success rate of conservative treatment and to provide evidence for the timing of treatment for spinal TB in adult patients.