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Background and Aim: Tuberculosis in some cases involves spinal column and spinal cord so this disease can cause spine distortion, para paresis or paraplegia and in some cases incontinence. In rare instances, upper limb paresis or plegia may be seen. In overall the incidence of neurological deficit in spinal tuberculosis is high. It is clear that in time diagnosis and appropriate treatment can decrease these complications.This research aim is the comparative surgical modalities in spine tuberclulosis treatment. Materials and Methods: 24 patients with diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis were studied from January 1996 to august 2002. They divided into three groups: first group were patients that they were treated with anti- tuberculosis drugs. The second group was treated surgically with posterior approach, and the third group was treated surgically with combine posterior and anterior approaches.To analyse the data descriptive statistic methods were used. Since the samples were small in each group the data were analysed manually. Results: From 24 patients 6 were males and 18 females and their ages were between 4-78 years.The neurological status of 66.6% improved and 16.6% got worse. In anterior combine, posterior surgical approach 72% improved and 9.8% got worse. In patients who diagnosed in appropriate time and treated with anti tuberculosis drugs all except one case cured completely without complication. Conclusion: In time diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis can facilitate the treatment is simple and prevent of surgical procedures and complications. Therefore, we must consider spinal tuberculosis in any suspicious spine lesions.In surgical approach, combine posterior and anterior approach spinal alignment can be much better and these combine procedures have better neurological result.

Keywords: Spine tuberculosis; Antituberculosis drugs; Surgical procedures

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