A STUDY OF DIAGNOSTIC METHOD AND OUTCOME OF THORACIC AND THORACOLUMBAR DECOMPRESSION AND PEDICULAR FIXATION IN POTTS SPINE PATIENTS OF SOUTHINDIAN POPULATION
Tuberculosis (TB) of the spine is a common site of osseous TB, accounting for 50%-60% of cases. Spinal TB still occurs in both developed and developing countries. The diagnosis of spinal TB is difficult and it commonly presents at an advanced stage. Delays in establishing diagnosis and management result in complications such as spinal cord compression and spinal deformity. As it may cause destruction of the vertebral body, and produce spinal deformity and paraplegia. our aim is to assess the diagnostic method, clinical and neurological outcome in patients with Potts spine.42 patients included in this study who were operated during the time period this study and followed prospectively. In our study 28 of 42 (66%) recovered completely neurologically (no paraplegia at follows up) while incomplete recovery occurred in 8 patients (19%) and no recovery in 4 patients (9.5%) and death of one patients occurred due to meningoencephalitis. Combined antitubercular drugs and global decompression with pedicular screw fixation give an excellent treatment outcome . Further study with a large number of patients and longer follow-up will be necessary