الفهرس 
Historical perspectiveOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Background: spondylodiscitis, a term encompassing vertebral osteomyelitis, spondylitis and discitis, which are considered different manifestations of the same pathological process. spondylodiscitis remains a therapeutic challenge. Many fundamental aspects of the treatment of pyogenic spondylodiscitis are still a matter of debate.
Purpose: The aim of this study is to review, analyze and compare the conservative versus the surgical management in patients with spondylodiscitis regarding the essential elements for successful treatment.
Methods: Electronic search of databases for articles regarding treatment of spondylodiscitis. Stepwise procedure to identify relevant studies was used. Details regarding treatment strategy (for example: antibiotics, bracing or surgery) and outcome parameters (treatment duration, required additional surgery, treatment failure, relapse, and mortality) were assessed. This resulted in 18 included studies. The treatment strategy was systemic antibiotics alone in five studies and
a combination of surgery and systemic antibiotics in seven studies. In three studies, systemic antibiotic treatment alone was compared to
a combination of surgery and antibiotics. And three studies focused on the treatment of a specific type of microorganism.
Conclusion: Six weeks of systemic antibiotics treatment in uncomplicated pyogenic spondylodiscitis is strongly recommended. If surgical treatment is indicated, an isolated anterior approach could result in a better clinical outcome compared to more extensive combined anterior/posterior procedures. Many fundamental aspects of the conservative treatment of spondylodiscitis are still unknown and require further research. Also, further researches are required regarding the effect of patient characteristic on the outcome of spondylodiscitis.