[The treatment of bone tuberculosis with special reference to tuberculous spondylitis]

The tuberculous spondylitis is still the most frequent form of tuberculous osteitis. The establishment of diagnosis is difficult, because of the most non-specific symptoms. The most important diagnostic aid is the tomography. A definite diagnosis is given only by histological examination of the affected tissue. The therapy is based on the chemotherapy and also on the operative removal of the affected focus. The chemotherapy must be carried out by regular control of the patients through years. The vertebrotomy is carried out by different approaches according to localisation of the focus. By observing these therapeutic rules it is possible to obtain very good results. Certainly the concept "complete healing" by tuberculous osteitis is very problematic. It is better to speak of an active or an inactive process.