Objective: To compare the results from treating tropical pyomyositis through percutaneous drainage of abscesses versus open surgical drainage of abscesses, by means of a randomized prospective study. Methods: Twenty-five patients with tropical pyomyositis (Chiedozi grade II) were included in this study. They were randomized into two groups: group A (n = 13), treated with antibiotics and open drainage of the abscesses; and group B (n = 12), treated with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of the abscesses. Results: The mean age was 35.3 years (± 19.2) in group A and 30.1 years (± 9) in group B (p = 0.41). There were eight female patients (61.5%) and five male patients (38.5%) in group A; in group B, three were female (25%) and nine were male (75%) (p = 0.11). Staphylococcus aureus was the microorganism most frequently found (72%). The mean hospital stay in group A was 12.7 days (± 2.3), and in group B, 10.6 days (± 1.6) (p = 0.01). The mean duration of antibiotic use in group A was 12.2 days (± 2.3), and in group B, 10.1 days (± 1.5) (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Percutaneous drainage of the abscesses, in association with antibiotic therapy, is an efficient treatment method for tropical pyomyositis grade II, with shorter antibiotic use and hospital stay for patients.

RESUMOObjetivo: Comparar, através de estudo prospectivo e randomizado, os resultados do tratamento da piomiosite tropical (PT) através da drenagem percutânea dos abscessos aos da drenagem cirúrgica aberta dos mesmos. Métodos: Foram incluídos neste estudo 25 pacientes com PT, grau II de Chiedozi. Os pacientes foram randomizados em dois grupos: grupo A (n = 13), tratados com antibioticoterapia e drenagem aberta dos abscessos e grupo B (n = 12), tratados com antibioticoterapia e drenagem percutânea dos mesmos. Resultados: A idade média no grupo A foi de 35,3 ± 19,2 anos e, no grupo B, de 30,1 ± 9 anos (p = 0,41). No grupo A, oito pacientes (61,5%) eram do sexo feminino e cinco do masculino (38,5%); no grupo B, três eram do sexo feminino (25%) e nove do masculino (75%) (p = 0,11). O Staphylococcus aureus foi o microorganismo mais frequentemente encontrado (72%). O tempo médio de internação no grupo A foi de 12,7 ± 2,1 dias e, no grupo B, de 10,6 ± 1,6 dias (p = 0,01). O tempo médio de antibió-tico no grupo A foi de 12,2 ± 2,3 dias e, no grupo B, de 10,1 ± 1,5 dias (p = 0,02). Conclusão: A drenagem percutânea dos abscessos associada à antibioticoterapia constituiu-se em método eficaz para o tratamento da piomiosite tropical grau II, diminuindo o tempo de antibioticoterapia e de internação hospitalar dos pacientes.

Objective: To analyze the degeneration of the adjacent disc after arthrodesis due to thoracolumbar fractures. Methods: Eighty-three patients who underwent posterolateral arthrodesis in thoracolumbar levels had their x-rays analyzed for degeneration of adjacent discs to the arthrodesis. The disc spaces were classified by the UCLA scale. Results: Of the 83 patients evaluated, 66 were males (79%) and 18 females (21%), with a mean age of 35.5 years. The mean follow-up period was 40 months. As the fractures 75% were between T12 and L2 (p<0.001), being of the A3 type in 65% of the cases (p<0.001). The most common mechanism of injury, accounting for 50% of the cases (p<0.001), was fall from height. Only 6% of the superior discs and 12% of the inferior ones showed some degree of degeneration. No patient underwent a new surgical approach. Conclusion: The incidence of degeneration on adjacent disc in patients after arthrodesis resulting from fractures ranged from 6% to 12% with an average follow-up of 40 months.Keywords: Spinal fractures; Spinal fusion; Lumbosacral region; Thoracic vertebrae; Intervertebral disc degeneration; Radiography. RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a degeneração do disco adjacente após artrodese devido a fraturas toracolombares. Métodos: Oitenta e três pacientes, submetidos à artrodese posterolateral em níveis toracolombares, tiveram suas radiografias analisadas em relação à degeneração dos discos adjacentes à artrodese. Os espaços dos discos foram classificados