Medical grade calcium sulfate bone incorporated with streptomycin in the treatment of thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis

This study investigates a case series of 18 patient treated for thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis with one-stage posterior debridement, medical grade calcium sulfate incorporated with streptomycin and autogenetic bone graft and instrumentation. There were no recorded cases of adverse reactions and all patients achieved incision healing. To some degree, kyphosis was corrected with no loss. The procedure was successful for 17/18 patients. One patient required further surgery 9 months post-op due to the recurrence of tuberculosis. Radiographic analysis showed absorption of calcium sulphate at 1 week with bone fusion occurring 6-9 months postoperatively. This study indicates the application of calcium sulphate to be very effective in the treatment of thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis as a bone substitute to aid in bone repair and as a carrier material for antibiotics. The abstract and full paper can be read here.