Epidemiological Insights from 1,652 Patients with Spinal Tuberculosis Managed at a Single Center: A Retrospective Review of 5-Year Data

Development and validation of a diagnostic model to differentiate spinal tuberculosis from pyogenic spondylitis by combining multiple machine learning algorithms

This study focused on the development and validation of a diagnostic model to differentiate between spinal tuberculosis (STB) and pyogenic spondylitis (PS). We analyzed a total of 387 confirmed cases, out of which 241 were diagnosed with STB and 146 were diagnosed with PS. These cases were randomly divided into a training group (n = 271) and a validation group (n = 116). Within the training group, four machine learning (ML) algorithms (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator [LASSO], logistic regression analysis, random forest, and support vector machine recursive feature elimination [SVM-RFE]) were employed to identify distinctive variables. These specific variables were then utilized to construct a diagnostic model. The model's performance was subsequently assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the calibration curves. Finally, internal validation of the model was undertaken in the validation group. Our findings indicate that PS patients had an average platelet-to-neutrophil ratio (PNR) of 277.86, which was significantly higher than the STB patients' average of 69.88. The average age of PS patients was 54.71 years, older than the 48 years recorded for STB patients. Notably, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was higher in PS patients at 6.15, compared to the 3.46 NLR in STB patients. Additionally, the platelet volume distribution width (PDW) in PS patients was 0.2, compared to 0.15 in STB patients. Conversely, the mean platelet volume (MPV) was lower in PS patients at an average of 4.41, whereas STB patients averaged 8.31. Hemoglobin (HGB) levels were lower in PS patients at an average of 113.31 compared to STB patients' average of 121.64. Furthermore, the average red blood cell (RBC) count was 4.26 in PS patients, which was less than the 4.58 average observed in STB patients. After evaluation, seven key factors were identified using the four ML algorithms, forming the basis of our diagnostic model. The training and validation groups yielded area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.841 and 0.83, respectively. The calibration curves demonstrated a high alignment between the nomogram-predicted values and the actual measurements. The decision curve indicated optimal model performance with a threshold set between 2% and 88%. In conclusion, our model offers healthcare practitioners a reliable tool to efficiently and precisely differentiate between STB and PS, thereby facilitating swift and accurate diagnoses.

Vertebral destruction in tuberculous spondylitis correlates with Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR-4) levels: a cross-sectional study

Background

Tuberculous (TB) spondylitis is a hazardous infectious disease causing significant spinal deformity. Increased toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) activity promotes more extensive infections in patients with TB spondylitis, so it has the potential to be used as a biomarker to predict the severity. This study aims to determine the relationship between TLR-4 levels and the degree of vertebral destruction in TB spondylitis patients.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to October 2023. A total of 27 TB spondylitis samples were then measured for TLR-4 serum levels. Vertebral destruction is assessed based on the Spine At Risk Signs (SARS) criteria on X-ray and MRI examinations. Moreover, the degree of sensory and motor impairment was also assessed in this study. The Spearman correlation test assessed the correlation between TLR-4 levels and vertebral destruction.

Results

Most of the samples in this study were less than 30 years old (10 people, 37%), female (14 people, 51.9%), had spinal destruction at 1 level (11 people, 40.7%), had paraplegia (8 people, 29.6%), and had hypoesthesia (11 people, 40.7%). TLR-4 levels had a mean value of 8254.1±1076.1 ng/ml. TLR-4 levels were positively correlated with the degree of vertebral destruction (r=0.599, P=0.001), motor disorders (r=0.632.x, P=0.000), and sensory disorders (r=0.574, P=0.002).

Conclusion

TLR-4 levels are associated with the severity of vertebral destruction in TB spondylitis, so it has the potential to be used as a prognostic biomarker.

Posterior fixation, anterior debridement and bone grafting in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis in children younger than 3 years of age

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of posterior fixation, combined with one- or two-stage anterior debridement and bone grafting in treating children younger than 3 years of age with thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study involving 16 young children with thoracic or lumbar tuberculosis. Surgical data were recorded. Frankel Grade was used to assess neurological function. The regional kyphosis angle was measured to evaluate the deformity correction. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were detected to assess the activity of tuberculosis. Bony fusion and complications were also recorded.

RESULTS

The mean operation time was 204.4 ± 41.8 min. The mean estimated blood loss was 126.3 ± 94.4 ml. Preoperative Frankel Grade results indicated five patients with Grade C, six with Grade D, and five with Grade E. At the final follow-up, all patients were in Grade E. Twelve patients were brought back to normal spinal alignment and the rest four patients remained kyphotic. There was an improvement of 29.3° ± 18.3° in regional kyphotic angle postoperatively. And the deformity correction was 27.4° ± 19.1° at the final follow-up. ESR and CRP decreased to a normal range at three months follow-up. Bony fusion was achieved in all patients. None of the cases developed fixation failure, pseudoarthrosis, or tuberculosis recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Posterior fixation, combined with one- or two-stage anterior debridement and bone grafting, is a safe and effective surgical strategy for treating young children with thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis.

Current Insights into Diagnosing and Treating Neurotuberculosis in Adults

Neurotuberculosis has the highest morbidity and mortality risk of all forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Early treatment is paramount, but establishing diagnosis are challenging in all three forms of neurotuberculosis: tuberculous meningitis (TBM), spinal TB and tuberculomas. Despite advancements in diagnostic tools and ongoing research aimed at improving TB treatment regimens, the mortality rate for neurotuberculosis remains high. While antituberculosis drugs were discovered in the 1940s, TB treatment regimens were designed for and studied in pulmonary TB and remained largely unchanged for decades. However, new antibiotic regimens and host-directed therapies are now being studied to combat drug resistance and contribute to ending the TB epidemic. Clinical trials are necessary to assess the effectiveness and safety of these treatments, addressing paradoxical responses in neurotuberculosis cases and ultimately improving patient outcomes. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic analyses can inform evidence-based dose selection and exposure optimization. This review provides an update on the diagnosis and treatment of neurotuberculosis, encompassing both sensitive and resistant antituberculosis drug approaches, drawing on evidence from the literature published over the past decade.

Intraspinal and Intracranial Neurotuberculosis, Clinical and Imaging Characteristics and Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients: A Cohort Study (2000-2022)

Neurotuberculosis (neuroTB) is a devastating disease, and is difficult to diagnose. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and imaging characteristics, and outcomes of a retrospective cohort (2000-2022) of hospitalized patients diagnosed with intraspinal and intracranial neuroTB. This work was designed through clinical, laboratory and imaging findings. Variables included: demographic data, history of tuberculosis, neurological complications, comorbidities and outcomes. Morbi-mortality risk factors were identified by univariate analysis. The cohort included: 103 patients with intraspinal and 82 with intracranial neuroTB. During the study period, in-hospital mortality of 3% for intraspinal and 29.6% for intracranial neuroTB was estimated. Motor deficit was found in all patients with intraspinal neuroTB. Risk factors for the unfavorable outcome of patients with intraspinal neuroTB were: age ≥ 40 years, diabetes mellitus (DM), diagnostic delay, kyphosis and spondylodiscitis ≥ 3 levels of involvement. Among the patients with intracranial neuroTB, 79/82 (96.3%) had meningitis and 22 patients had HIV infection (10 of them died). Risk factors for mortality from intracranial neuroTB were: HIV infection, hydrocephalus, stroke, lymphopenia and disseminated and gastrointestinal TB. Patients with intraspinal neuroTB had a significant number of destroyed vertebrae that determined their neurological deficit status. The mortality burden in intracranial neuroTB was conditioned by HIV infection and renal transplantation patients.

Pathogenesis, Diagnostic Challenges, and Risk Factors of Pott's Disease

Tuberculosis (TB) prevalence is increasing in developed nations and continuing to cause significant mortality in low- and middle-income countries. As a result of the uptick in cases, there also exists an increased prevalence of extrapulmonary TB. TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb). When M. tb disseminates to the vertebral column, it is called Pott's disease or spinal TB. The frequency, symptoms, and severity of the disease range by the location of the spine and the region of the affected vertebrae. While the current literature shows that timely diagnosis is crucial to reduce the morbidity and mortality from Pott's disease, there is a lack of specific clinical diagnostic criteria for Pott's disease, and the symptoms may be very non-specific. Studies have shown that novel molecular diagnostic methods are effective and timely choices. Research has implicated the risk factors for the susceptibility and severity of Pott's disease, such as HIV and immunosuppression, poverty, and malnutrition. Based on the current literature available, our group aims to summarize the pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnostic challenges, as well as the known risk factors for Pott's disease within this literature review.

Multifocal tuberculous osteomyelitis mimicking widespread bony metastases: review of literature and case report

INTRODUCTION

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Extrapulmonary infections are less common, and skeletal tuberculosis accounts for about 5-20% of all cases. Skeletal tuberculosis cases often pose diagnostic challenges due to its insidious onset, non-specific clinical presentation and radiographic findings similar to other diseases. Multifocal skeletal tuberculosis is an extremely rare clinical entity, and is defined as an infection that affects two or more non-contiguous bony structures. This clinical entity can mimic bony metastasis and may lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of multifocal skeletal tuberculous infection mimicking widespread bony metastasis, occurring in an immunocompetent 28-year-old male, and discuss the diagnostic challenges faced and management strategies. The patient successfully underwent instrumentation and stabilization of a pathological T11 vertebra fracture and treatment of tuberculosis infection.

DISCUSSION

While TB infections remain less common in developed countries, they can still cause significant morbidity. Multifocal skeletal tuberculous infections can resemble spinal or bony metastasis on various imaging modalities. Care must be taken when interpreting such imaging results, with histopathology and mycobacterial cultures remaining the gold standard to determine the presence of active TB infections.