[Paraplegia in cases of septic diseases of the spine].
BACKGROUND
Paraplegia of non-traumatic origin has an increasing incidence. Infection of the spine is a major contributor to the number of these cases. Besides adequate management of spinal cord injury, the treatment of these patients requires specific therapeutic techniques.


METHODS
Eighteen patients with acute pyogenic infection of the spine and spinal cord injury were admitted to our facility in the years 1997-2000. All except two patients were treated by surgical debridement and internal stabilisation.


RESULTS
The infections healed after surgical treatment in all cases. Neurological function improved and no patient showed neurological deterioration. Both patients who were not fit for surgery died during treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical instrumentation and replacement of the destroyed vertebra, despite a pyogenic environment, resulted in permanent resolution of the infection. There is potential for neurological recovery but full recovery is rare.
Keil
M
M
Abt. Orthopädie II, Stiftung Orthopädische Universitätsklinik Heidelberg. info@ok.uni-heidelberg.de
Akbar
M
M
Abel
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011379:Prognosis; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome