Epidemiology and diagnostic tools practice of spinal tuberculosis at Kariadi Hospital Semarang, Indonesia

Introduction: Spinal tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most common manifestations of extrapulmonary TB. In contrast to pulmonary TB, currently, there is no consensus for standard management of spinal TB particularly in diagnosis. This study aims to provide an overview of spinal TB from an epidemiological profile and diagnostic practice perspective at Kariadi Hospital, Semarang. Method: We collect spinal TB patient data retrospectively through medical records in Kariadi Hospital Semarang between the 2019 to 2022 period. The data regarding all demographic profile, clinical, imaging, and laboratory data. Result: A total of 40 patients were included in this study, 23 patients were diagnosed through histopathology, 32 patients were diagnosed using gene expert examination, and 17 patients by Acid Fast Bacillus Test. The highest age distribution was 37.5% in the 21-30-year age group, with thoracic level involvement in 70% of cases. The average age was 35.10 ± 14.10 with the main complaint being weakness of the limbs followed by complaints of back pain. The MRI images found were paravertebral abscess (67.5%), followed by vertebral body compression (27.5%), vertebral body destruction (20%), wedging compression and disc narrowing (20%), and kyphosis (12, 5%). Conclusion: Establishing the diagnosis of spinal TB at Kariadi Hospital is very diverse, so management is needed regarding the selection of spinal TB diagnostic tools to provide appropriate management.