• H O Obiegbu and C Ndukwu.
• Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
• Niger J Clin Pract. 2024 May 1; 27 (5): 565569565-569.

BackgroundTuberculosis of the spine, a common manifestation of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis is characterized by vertebral destruction, paradiscal involvement, abscess collection and varying degrees of neurologic affectation. The primary disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis complex infects the lungs, lymph nodes of the mediastinum and gastrointestinal tract/ viscera with spinal involvement being secondary and caused by haematogenous spread. Tuberculous paraplegia arises as a complication of spinal involvement.AimTo determine the outcome of operative intervention in tuberculous paraplegia. Methodology: This was a retrospective study involving 10 patients with tuberculous spinal involvement with varying degrees of neurological deficit as defined by both Tuli and ASIA grading. The VAS score, ESR, ASIA grade (both pre-op and post op), Tuli's grade (pre-op and post op) were used to analyze the therapeutic effects of the surgery.ResultsThe mean pre-operative VAS score was 5.9 ±1.8, which significantly decreased to 2.2 ±1.3 six weeks post operatively. The mean pre-operative ESR and CRP was 78.9 ± 11.3mm/hr and 83 ± 13.5 respectively; which both showed a statistically significant decrease post-operatively, p<0.05. All cases achieved an increase of more than one ASIA grade post-operatively.ConclusionEarly surgical intervention is beneficial in patients with tuberculous spinal disease with neurologic involvement.Copyright © 2024 Copyright: © 2024 Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice.

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