DIAGNOSIS AND CONSERVATIVE THERAPY OF CER VICAL SPONDYLITIS

We report diagnostic procedures and conservative therapy of eight pati ents suffering from unspecific bacterial cervical spondylitis. In thre e cases an infection of the craniocervical junction occured. In additi on to the clinical examination the diagnosis was made by the help of a serological examination, conventional radiographs, radioisotopes scan nings and tomograms (CT and MRI). In all cases therapy was conservativ e because of absence of neurological symptoms. For immobilization a ha lo-west was used. Intravenous and oral antibiotics were applied accord ing to antibiogram. In five cases an osseous fusion was achieved, six out of eight patients had no more complaints. The malposition of the c oncerned segment in creased in one case, in a further case a post-arth ritic arthrosis evolved.