title: [Diagnosis and Treatment of Spondylodiscitis/Spondylitis in Clinical Practice].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The clinical presentation of spondylsodiscitis/spondylitis are manifold. This commonly leads to a period of several months from initial symptoms to final diagnosis. A standardised treatment is difficult. The purpose of this study is to investigate the treatment carried out for patients with spondylodiscitis or spondylitis to develop an individualised standard care for better treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of 90 patients were retrospective analysed. In particular documented data of the initial examination and the following treatments concerning identification of causes and systematically control of pathogens were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 91 % of patients a diagnostically conclusive MRI was conducted. The degree of spondylidiscitis/spondylitis was mainly ASA criteria I or II (86 %). In 96 % of patients different diagnostic methods for identification of pathogens were conducted and documented. RESULTS confirmed the most common pathogens mentioned in the literature. 75 % of patients were treated by surgery. In 93 % of patients an antibiotic treatment was documented. 50 patients (81 %) were successfully healed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important to identify and treat spondylodiscitis/spondylitis as early as possible. Diagnosis by means of blood culture and MRI and treatment of the infection with antibiotics and possibly surgical interventions seem be very suitable, but need to be individualised to each and every patient.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bornemann
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Orthopädie, Kreiskrankenhaus Dormagen.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Müller-Broich
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deml
authors.affiliation: ARTIMED, Kassel.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sander
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Wirtz
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pflugmacher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015299:Discitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult