[Polymethylmethacrylate-augmented screw fixation in treatment of senile thoracolumbar tuberculosis combined with severe osteoporosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the safety and effectiveness of polymethylmethacrylate-augmented screw fixation (PASF) in the treatment of elderly thoracolumbar tuberculosis combined with severe osteoporosis. METHODS: , including 11 cases of single-segment disease, 6 cases of double-segment disease, and 3 cases of multi-segment disease. The disease duration was 3-9 months, with an average of 6 months. The preoperative spinal nerve function of the patients was evaluated by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading. There were 2 cases of grade A, 5 cases of grade B, 6 cases of grade C, 4 cases of grade D, and 3 cases of grade E. Postoperative imaging examination was used to evaluate the bone graft fusion and paravertebral abscess absorption, and to measure the Cobb angle of the segment to evaluate the improvement of kyphosis. The levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were tested. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and ASIA grading were used to evaluate the effectivreness before operation, at 1 month after operation, and at last follow-up. The clinical cure of tuberculosis was also evaluated. RESULTS: >0.05). During the follow-up, no complications such as failure of internal fixation, proximal junctional kyphosis, or tuberculosis recurrence occurred. CONCLUSION: For elderly patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis, PASF treatment is safe and effective.