LAUSR

BACKGROUND Cervical tuberculosis (CTB) only accounts for 4.2%-12% of the total spinal tuberculosis. Although anti-tuberculosis drugs are the cornerstone of the treatment for cervical tuberculosis, they are ineffective against the symptoms of the existing spinal deformities and spinal cord compression, which often appeal to surgical intervention. The conventional surgical methods are anterior debridement and titanium mesh, cage bone graft fusion and internal fixation, with certain deficiencies in terms of stable fixation. CASE PRESENTATION We present a 41-year-old Chinese man who suffered from neck pain and stiffness for a month, the symptoms accompanied with low-grade fever and repeated night sweats. Laboratory tests revealed that the PPD test was positive, while the anti-TB test was negative. Imaging examination showed the destruction of C5, C6 vertebral bodies and C5-6 intervertebral discs, and an intensive abscess at the C5-6 vertebral level was formed. After the operation of 3D printing assisted anterior debridement and artificial vertebral body replacement, his preoperative symptoms of neck pain and stiffness were apparently alleviated, and the symptoms of both upper limb numbness disappeared completely. So far, he has recovered well and the tuberculosis focus has been completely cured. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first reported clinical application of 3D printing assisted cervical anterior bilateral pedicle screws fixation of artificial vertebral body. We realized the ultra-short segment fixation, and excellent clinical outcomes were obtained and maintained until recent follow up of 2 years.