Comparative Efficacy of Traditional Conservative Treatment and Ct-guided Local Chemotherapy for Mild Spinal Tuberculosis

Abstract Background: There are considerable differences in the treatment strategy for spinal tuberculosis, inclouding conservative or surgical procedures. Conservative treatment is always suitable for most patients. This study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy of traditional conservative treatment with CT-guided local chemotherapy strategy of mild spinal tuberculosis. Methods: This research retrospectively analysed 120 patients with spinal tuberculosis between January 2005 and January 2016 according to the diagnostic criteria of mild spinal tuberculosis. In total, 89 patients underwent traditional conservative treatment, 31 underwent CT-guided local chemotherapy. Clinical outcome, laboratory indexes, and radiological results were analysed to provide a clinical basis for the choice of mild spinal tuberculosis treatment. Results: All cases achieved a clinical cure with 24 to 50 months followed up. Cobb angle of the two groups spinal tuberculosis segments was 6.25 ± 3.11°, 5.69 ± 2.58° before treatment and 12.36 ± 6.31°, 14.87 ± 7.26° after treatment, respectively. VAS scores were significantly decreased post-treatment. There was no obvious kyphosis, symptoms or neurological deficits at the final follow-up. Conclusions: For mild spinal tuberculosis, traditional conservative treatment can achieve satisfactory results. The strategy combined with CT-guided local chemotherapy treatment is minimally invasive, beneficial for the drainage of paravertebral abscesses and pain relief.