Clinical results following treatment for spinal infections in nine patients were evaluated. Three children and one adult who showed only slight disc space narrowing and slight erosion of vertebral endplate radiologically were successfully treated only by administration of antibiotics. Five adults who showed advanced vertebral destruction required surgery in order to reduce the infection. Two of these five cases, who showed neurological compromise with severe cervical kyphosis, were successfully treated with Luque SSI, anterior debridement and iliac bone grafting.
Children and adults with minimum radiological changes respond well to antibiotic administration. Adults with advanced radiological changes and neurological compromise can be successfully treated with posterior instrumentation and anterior bone grafting not only sufficient for correction of kyphosis but also for rigid fixation.
