24 patienîs were treated at the Wolfgang Goethe University Offenbach City Hospital between 1992 and 1996 for tubercuiosis of the spine. A high index of suspicion is required for Pott's disease, which occurs in fewer than 1 percent of patienîs with tubercuiosis, often presents with non specific symptoms, and may results in permanent deformityjor neurologic impairment. Ati patienîs had tripie chemotherapy with or without decompression surgery. 6 patients including 4 children, were treated conservaiiveiy, 18 patienîs were treated surgically. 17 patient had anterior radical decompression surgery, and for 7 of them, anterior surgery was proceded by posterior İnstrumentai stabilization surgery. One patient with healed disease had posterior decompressive corpectomy. 10 patients had İesions between T3-T10, where the spinal canal is narrow, of whom had neurologic involvement. Ali ten undement anterior approach (thoracoiomy) for decompression, debridement and spinai fusion.
14 patients had İesions between T11-S1. 4 patients had neurologic involvement but responded to medical treatment alone. Combined surgical and medicat treatment gave excellent results İn this series.
Keywords: Spİne Tubercuiosis, Combine surgicai and medical treatment.