A retrospective review of the cases of sixty-one patients with vertebral
osteomyelitis revealed that the associated diseases of diabetes mellitus
and rheumatoid arthritis as well as increased age and a more cephalad level
of infection predisposed to paralysis. For patients with paralysis and a
long-term follow-up, the prognosis for isolated nerve-root deficits is good
with or without surgery. For patients with spinal cord compression, the
results generally are better with anterior decompression and stabilization
than with laminectomy. Early treatment should be directed at prevention of
intrinsic spinal-cord damage, which is irreversible.