Aim:
To evaluate the occurrence of cervical tuberculosis and to see objectively the effectiveness of conservative treatment in the management of tuberculosis of the cervical spine with neurological involvement.
Methods:
We randomly selected 30 patients of tuberculosis of the cervical spine with neurological involvement. Patients were divided into two groups, Group I included patients with quadriplegia (16) and Group II included patients with quadriparesis (14). Diagnosis of Pott’s spine was based on history, clinical examination, hematological investigations and imaging. Patients were put on four drug anti-tubercular treatment and cervical traction. Ali patients were regularly followed-up.
Results:
The results were evaluated on the basis of Functional Independence Measure at 6 vveeks, 6 months and 1 year. Good Functional Independence Measure scores were seen in majority of the patients and failure of conservative treatment with subsequent cervical decompression was required in only 3 cases. Better long-term results were seen in Group II as compared to Group I.
Conclusions:
Conservative treatment of cervical tuberculosis is a good option, more so in developing countries where surgical intervention is limited at few centers only. Good results of our study validate this point.
Keywords: Tuberculosis, Cervical Spine, Conservative Management