Modern methods of diagnosis and treatment of spinal tuberculosis

Tuberculosis of the spine is a very serious disease. The danger of the disease is that with a serious spread of the microbacteria it is capable of affecting the spine so much that it is then possible to completely lose the ability to move.

What are the features of the disease?

The main factor of infection are microbacteria tuberculosis. Often enough, a few rods of tuberculosis, so that the active spread of infection in the body began.

However, the infection may not occur under the condition of very strengthened and stable immunity. Thanks to this factor, more older people are not prone to the disease.

There are also predisposing factors that can influence the development of the disease and even become its cause:

• spine trauma;
• frequent hypothermia;
• susceptibility of the body to colds;
• poor working or living conditions;
• heavy physical exertion;
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• contacts with who is the source of the infection, in particular, with the carriers of tuberculosis of the lungs and eyes.

Ways of infection

A person who tolerates this disease and is considered the main source of infection. Isolation of dangerous microbacteria occurs if it has an open form of the disease.

Infection will depend on the duration of contact with the bacilli, the nature of the contact, and also the resistance of the organism to bacteria of this genus. In general, the methods of contacts in which the transmission of the virus occurs have long been uncovered and identified in special categories:

1. Airborne droplet path. Microbacteria are contained even in very small droplets. They always stand out not only when sneezing or coughing, but also when talking. In this case, even those bacteria that hit the surface survive, and then, together with dust, can penetrate the human body.
2. Contact. Infection occurs by intimate contact with bacilli. This can happen even through the skin or conjunctiva of the eye.
3. Through the digestive tract( alimentary). In this case, bacteria require a larger amount that enter the body when ingested, for example, water from dishes previously used by the infected. With such a method of infection, it is characteristic not only to defeat the disease of the abdominal organs, but also the lymph nodes.
4. Intrauterine. Fetal infection is possible through the placenta.

Classification of the disease

Tuberculosis of the spine is divided into only two types: bone and synovial.

The latter type of disease is characterized by the fact that its focus is located at the end of the joint. This is the most common and dangerous form, as it contributes to the violation of integrity and the gradual destruction of cartilage. That is why it is more important to recognize its development in advance.

When the bone type of tuberculosis develops, the disease focuses not just at the joint end, but in the spongy substance that fills it. The danger of this form is that it is not localized in one part, but is capable of capturing new, healthy tissues.

Even cavities of the joint in this case are capable of forming granulation.

Stages of development of

The course of the disease occurs in several stages:

• infection;
• the period of the most active breeding and propagation;
• occurrence of the first body reactions;
• acceleration of bacterial growth, the appearance of necrotic sites;
• secondary reaction cycle, which includes the period when a person becomes a hotbed of microbacteria of tuberculosis.

In addition to the previous classification, the development of the disease can be divided into three consecutive stages. Its course is aggravated exactly to the extent that the treatment will be more complicated and less effective:

• primary ostitis;
• arthritic phase;
• postartritic phase occurs immediately after tuberculosis arthritis and can be significantly delayed.

Symptoms of the disease

Recognition of the symptoms of tuberculosis of the spine bones is complicated at the first stages, as the signs of the disease are rather weak.

In particular, in people affected by this disease, often there is weakness, absent-mindedness, extremely fast fatigue, a decrease in appetite.

In case of a defeat of the tuberculosis of the upper spine, swelling and pain may occur when trying to turn the head.

In this area it is possible to notice a swelling, which will resemble a small hump.

In addition to the symptoms described above, clubfoot, pain, or a feeling of heaviness in different parts of the spine.

Gradually, the abscess can affect the tissues that are adjacent, which leads to muscle weakness, and sometimes even paralysis of the lower extremities.

Diagnostic Techniques

Diagnostic measures are extensive and include the following methods for detecting the pathology of :

1. MRI. Allows you to clearly identify the affected areas, the localization of the disease, as well as its severity.
2. X-ray. One of the first measures that are used for diagnostics. In the pictures, usually the areas on which the tumor is spread are clearly visible. This method of diagnostics alone is not enough, therefore, for example, MRI is additionally prescribed.
3. Biopsy. Take on special tests and examination of parts of tissues.
4. Blood test. Thanks to him it becomes clear the presence of antistreptolysin and antistaphylococcal bodies.

Modern treatment of

disease Timely and correct treatment is extremely important in this pathology. After all, this is one of the most important parts of the body and if you do not start treatment in time, a stroke is possible, as well as partial or complete paralysis.

Technique

Radiography of bone lesions in spinal tuberculosis

Usually, the treatment of tuberculosis of spine bones of this type is performed in special sanatoriums that allow not only proper care and procedures, but also rest, which is important.

For unloading the spine initially shown bed rest, which must be observed on a special gypsum bed.

In the future, loads and, in particular, movement become possible, but only if a special gypsum corset is worn.

The following methods are used to treat the disease:

1. Antibiotic therapy. All combinations of drugs are selected in strict quantities and only individually. This list includes Streptomycin, Rifampicin, and Ftivazide. Therapy of this kind must necessarily be done for at least a year.
2. Observance of the day schedule, regulated and necessarily taking into account the limited mobility.
3. Medical supervision of for mental and nervous condition.
4. Immunotherapy is mandatory. Increasing the body's resistance and resistance to all kinds of diseases is extremely important. This will depend on the success of the entire treatment, individual procedures, and the possibility of prolonged relapse.
5. Orthopedic treatment. Initially, full immobilization is absolutely necessary. In case the patient initially did not have the opportunity to walk fully, then the opposite method is applied. Thus, the gradual development of the former functions of the joints and the spine is made and it will gradually become possible to start walking a little.

Things to consider

The main difference between tuberculosis of any kind is the fact that its bacteria are able to develop high resistance to both antibiotics and many antituberculous drugs.

Nutritional rules

Properly built diet is of great importance for the process of recovery to be most effective. It is necessary to include the most rich in vitamins products, there is more fruit, dairy products, fish. Food should be balanced, but at the same time additionally enriched with protein and minerals.

Surgical procedures

Surgical intervention is applicable for the complete elimination of an abscess, when healthy organs are involved in it. There are the following types of surgical treatment of tuberculosis of this type:

• endoprosthetics;
• alloplasty;
• joint resection;
• is intra-articular necrosectomy, as well as some other types of operations.

The type of intervention is selected only by a specialist who is based on the characteristics of the disease, as well as on the degree of joint damage.

Possible complications of

Often, with spinal tuberculosis, there are complications that can significantly complicate a patient's life. In such cases, in addition to treatment, it is also necessary to take measures to prevent complications.

The most common diseases can be identified in the following list:

• fistula;
• pareses;
• abscess;
• immunodeficiency secondary;
• myelopathy;
• disorders in the spine of anatomical and functional character;
• difficulties in the work of the pelvic organs.

Prevention

Preventative methods are especially important in order not to cause a repeat of the disease in the future. It should be timely rest, avoid excessive overload. It is also necessary to prevent hypothermia, to lead a healthy lifestyle, to improve immunity, to eat well, and to avoid injuries.

Video: Operations on the spine with braces