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. 2005 May;9(5):541-4.

The treatment of spinal tuberculosis: a retrospective study

S Ramachandran  1 , I J Clifton, T A Collyns, J P Watson, S B Pearson
Affiliations
  • PMID: 15875926

The treatment of spinal tuberculosis: a retrospective study

S Ramachandran et al. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2005 May.

Abstract

Background: There are conflicting guidelines and variations in clinical practice in the management of bone tuberculosis (TB), including spinal TB. A case who received 6 months of treatment in line with current British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines, and subsequently relapsed, prompted a survey of treatment and outcomes of spinal and other bone TB.

Methods: A retrospective study examining the clinical features, treatment duration and outcome of patients presenting with spinal and other bone TB to the Leeds Teaching Hospitals National Health Service Trust, between 1998 and 2002.

Results: Forty-two patients were identified. Notes from 34 patients with spinal TB and four patients with TB of other bones were reviewed. Of eight patients who received 6 months of therapy, five relapsed. Of 30 patients who received treatment for 9 months or longer, none relapsed (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Six months of treatment, as currently recommended by the BTS, may be inadequate for bone TB, including spinal TB.

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Comment in

  • 6-month treatment for bone tuberculosis.
    van Loenhout-Rooyackers JH, Jutte PC, van Altena R. van Loenhout-Rooyackers JH, et al. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2006 Sep;10(9):1063; author reply 1063-4. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2006. PMID: 16964803 No abstract available.

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