[Infectious spondylitis--diagnosis and therapy].

Spinal infections usually develop as pyogenic osteomyelitis originating from hematogenous seeding of staphylococci, escherichia coli or pseudomonas. They present with pain at rest, general symptoms, elevated ESR and radiographic findings after several weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging is the current technique of choice. Individual antibiotic treatment is established according to the sensitivity of the cultured organism. Some patients need surgical interventions in case of neurologic deficits, abscesses, chronic fistulas, severe bone destructions and unsuccessful nonoperative treatment.