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[Early anterolateral surgery for tuberculosis of the lower cervical spine with neurological complications in adult. Our experience in Gabon].

OBJECTIVE
To report our therapeutic experience with tuberculosis of the lower cervical spine with neurological complications in 9 adults in Gabon.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
A retrospective study of these 9 adults treated for progressive Pott's tetraplegia or paraplegia from 1982 to 1998 was conducted. The medical treatment consisted of the early administration in the first 3 patients of rifampin, isoniazid and ethambutol for 18 months; and, in the remaining 6 patients, of rifampin, isoniazid, ethambutol and pyrazinamide for 6 months. This medical treatment was systematically started 3 weeks before surgery in 7 patients, once the disease had been diagnosed radiologically. Two patients with an acute onset of paraplegia underwent surgery on an emergency basis. The standard anterior approach was used: debridement was done in 3 cases, to establish the diagnosis; 6 patients underwent radical surgery for severe neurological deficit and spinal instability. Average follow-up time was 40.6 months.


RESULTS
Three patients were found to be functionally and neurologically normal at follow-up examinations. Eight of the nine patients recovered sufficiently to walk unaided. One patient was able to get about on crutches. After 3-4 months, a satisfactory consolidation was already observed, with reduction of kyphosis in 4 cases. All patients were considered medically cured by the Antituberculous Center.


CONCLUSION
Early radical surgery, as primary procedure, in conjunction with a six-month chemotherapeutic regimen (four drugs) seems to be adequate for the management of tuberculosis of the lower cervical spine with neurological complications and spinal instability, in our setting.