Spinal tuberculosis (STB), which accounts for half of musculoskeletal tuberculosis, is among the leading causes of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Guangxi Province, located in southern China, is among the most severely affected provinces in China. In this study, we collected and analyzed data from 2 Class-A tertiary teaching hospitals in Nanning City, Guangxi Province, from 2011 to 2019, with the aim of providing reference points for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis analysis of STB, using the epidemiological characteristics of 556 STB cases. Our results revealed that males had a slightly higher incidence (50.17%) compared to females (49.83%), with 64.93% of cases falling between the ages of 18 and 45 years. Cases from rural communities accounted for 63.49% of the reviewed cases. The average time between onset of symptoms and hospitalization was 18.0 months (range: 1 day-220 months). The most commonly reported symptoms were lower back pain (78.60%), radicular pain (51.98%), and systemic toxemia (43.53%). Additionally, 53.98% of the reviewed cases had varying degrees of neurological impairment. The main pathological lesion locations were the lumbar spine (43.53%) and thoracic spine (32.55%). Among them, 72.66% of cases involved at least 2 vertebral segments, and 62.77% of cases presented with paravertebral abscesses. Among the cases reviewed, 90.65% underwent antituberculosis chemotherapy prior to surgery. Following treatment, the cure rate was 78.41%, while 3.78% of patients had postoperative relapse. There were cases of concomitant illnesses among the cases reviewed, 40.65% of patients also had pulmonary tuberculosis, 15.29% had hepatitis B, 13.30% had diabetes, and 7.91% had hypertension. Our results still demonstrate that spinal tuberculosis remains a serious public health problem in Guangxi Province. Thus, preventive measures should be directed towards rural residents with comorbidities such as the elderly and diabetic.

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BackgroundThis study aimed to explore the clinical efficacy of Wiltse approach transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in the treatment of single-segment thoracic spinal tuberculosis with neurological deficits (STSTND) in elderly patients with and osteoporosis.MethodsThis study conducted a retrospective analysis of 20 STSTND patients who underwent Wiltse approach TLIF in our hospital from January 2017 to January 2019. The follow-up time was 37.15±7.37 months (range 24-48 months), and the kyphotic angle was 35.41±6.71°. According to Frankl spinal cord injury classification assessment of neurological deficits. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are used to assess the activity of tuberculosis (TB). Femoral neck bone mineral density measurement T value (BMD T) is used to assess the degree of osteoporosis.Result20 patients with spinal tuberculosis (STB) were completely cured without tuberculosis recurrence. The postoperative kyphotic angle was 8.80±0.79°, and there was no significant loss of correction at the last follow-up. In the case of combined osteoporosis, the bone grafts fuse within 6-9 months and the back pain was relieved. The neurological condition of all patients improved after the operation.ConclusionsWiltse approach TLIF treatment plus anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy is adequate for obtaining satisfactory healing of single-segment thoracic tuberculosis with neurological deficits and osteoporosis in the elderly.