The authors present a small case series to demonstrate the feasibility of
employing the percutaneous approach to treating cervical spine tuberculosis. They
placed a puncture needle under CT-guidance into the abscess to drain and debride preand
paravertebral and retropharyngeal abscesses with endoscopically assisted
technique. A pigtail catheter was placed into the abscess cavity for continuous
intralesional delivery of antituberculous chemotherapy. Clinical outcomes were
favorable. None of the three patients in this case series report experienced neurological
function deterioration or needed more aggressive follow-up surgery. In this chapter, the
authors set out to demonstrate the utility of the spinal endoscope in other areas of
application distinct from decompression commonly required in degenerative spine
disease.
Keywords: Cervical tuberculosis, Endoscopic debridement, Intralesional
chemotherapy.
