[Tuberculosis of the spine: diagnosis and treatment].

The diagnosis and treatment for tuberculosis of the spine, based on own material from years 1992-97 (CMKP Orthopedic Department, Otwock) is presented. One hundred twenty nine patients were treated in these years, 85 of them surgically. The disease appeared usually in 4th, 5th or 6th decade of life, two adjacent vertebral bodies within lower thoracic spine were involved. Contemporary surgical methods as well as approved antibacterial treatment protocols are presented. Twenty-five per cent patients displayed symptoms of neurological impairment, namely paresis or plegia of the lower extremities. Good results of treatment in 85% of cases and only 3% poor results prove efficiency of the management suggested.