OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiology of population affected by spondylodiscitis and to evaluate the response to surgical treatment in these patients. METHOD: Thirteen patients, three females and ten males with a diagnosis of spondylodiscitis treated surgically in the Department of Spine Surgery at Getulio Vargas Hospital from October 2007 to January 2010 were evaluated. The mean age at surgery was 54 years. The medical records were analysed and the patients were interviewed, to check the following parameters: gender, age, etiology, compromised level, symptoms, duration until surgery, neurological disorders, treatment, postoperative complications and clinical outcome. RESULTS: Male were more affected, as well as older individuals, being pain in the affected region the initial symptom in 80% of patients. The average time between onset of symptoms and surgical treatment was 20,25 months. The lumbar segment was the most affected, followed by thoracic and thoracolumbar ones, and pyogenic form was the most frequent.. The surgical procedure in two stages via posterior (VP) and via anterior (VA), was used in 53% of patients. CONCLUSION: Patients were male and the elderly were the most affected. The surgical treatment in two stages is safer and has less morbidity for patients with spondylodiscitis.
Tuberculosis; Discitis; Infection; Arthrodesis
