[Pathologic changes in vertebral osteomyelitis]

Osteomyelitis of the vertebral column (VC) was considered in the past as a form of sepsis. The disease developed after purulent infection provoked by staphylococcus, enterobacteria and other infectious agents, rapidly progressed and terminated not infrequently, by a patient death. Wide spread destructive process due to the purulent lysis of the bone and cartilage was observed in VC. This disease acquired some new features at present. Although its etiology remained the same, osteomyelitis of VC is now chronic inflammatory process with recurrences and formation of purulent foci in VC with the spread to the paravertebral tissues and adjacent organs. The number of grave complications is reduced and lethal cases are practically absent.