Abstract

• The spinal tuberculosis has been decreased because of development of anti-tuberculosis drugs and the new surgical procedures but still have challenging problems in Korea. Fourty-eight cases of spinal tuberculosis were treated with conservative and surgical treatments during 6 years from 1976 to 1981 at Ewha Univ. Hospital with following results ; 1. The age distribution showed the peak incidence in the first decade. 2. The predilection site was the thoracic area(49.2%) 3. In 35.4% of the cases, anti-TB drug was taken befure surgery. 4. Paraplegia showed in 29.2% of cases. 5. In paraplegia, most involved bodies were in the thoracic and lumbar vertebra and the percentage was 85.7%. 6. The recovery rate of the paraplegia was 92.9%. 7. Anterior fusion was performed in 35.4%, and the posterior fusion was performed in 31.3%. 8. The kypotic angle was increased according to the numbers of involved vertebra.