The bacteriological diagnosis and antibiotic treatment of haematogenous vertebral osteomyelitis in adults.

A review of 49 cases of haematogenous osteomyelitis of the spine has indicated the need for planned investigations to establish a bacteriological diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy. The data suggest that antibiotics may not influence the outcome in patients presenting with a chronic infective process, particularly when this is located in the lumbar region.