Case report of tubercular spondylodiscitis with paraplegia managed by posterior transpedicular decompression and pedicle screw fixation

Abstract

Pott's paraplegia is still prevalent in this part of the world. Early onset paraplegia can be improved by timely surgical intervention under ATT cover. The disease mostly affects the thoraco-lumbar spine. Classically, the diseased area is addressed by anterior thoracic or thoracolumbar approach and after curettage of the diseased and necrotic material the anterior column is reconstructed by rib or fibular strut graft or metallic cage and supplemented by posterior instrumentation and fusion. Laminectomy, as a method of decompression, was greatly discouraged in spinal tuberculosis with compressive myelopathy except in posterior element involvement. We present a case of a 35 years old lady with Pott's paraplegia treated by hemilaminectomy and transpedicular limited anterior decompression of the cord and pedicle screw fixation with fusion who improved vastly in terms of motor power.