Management of spinal tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studying the clinical benefit of chemotherapy with surgical intervention over chemotherapy alone for the treatment of spinal tuberculosis.

METHODS:

Relevant RCTs were identified by computerized database searches. Trial eligibility and methodological quality were assessed and data were extracted and analysed using odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. The primary outcome measure was kyphosis angle.

RESULTS:

The literature search identified two RCTs conducted in the 1970s and 1980s and a Cochrane Database Systematic Review published in 2006. There were no significant between-group differences in kyphosis angle, bony fusion, bone loss or development of neurological deficit.

CONCLUSIONS:

There is no obvious statistically significant clinical precedence to suggest that routine surgery will improve the prognosis of patients with spinal tuberculosis.

• Authors: Xifeng Zhang, Jianfei Ji, Bo Liu
• Journal: The Journal of international medical research (J Int Med Res) Vol. 41 Issue 5 Pg. 1395-407 (Oct 2013) ISSN: 1473-2300 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24045167 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Review, Systematic Review)

Chemical References

• Antitubercular Agents

Topics

• Antitubercular Agents (therapeutic use)
• Bone and Bones (drug effects, pathology, surgery)
• Databases, Bibliographic
• Female
• Humans
• Kyphosis (drug therapy, pathology, surgery)
• Male
• Odds Ratio
• Prognosis
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Treatment Outcome
• Tuberculosis, Spinal (drug therapy, pathology, surgery)