Objective To investigate the causes and treatment strategies of spinal multidrug-resistance tuberculosis.Methods Data of 16 patients with spinal multidrug-resistance tuberculosis from Jane 2007 to September 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 12 males and 4 females,with an average age of 26.6 years (range,10-49 years).The 16 patients involved 44 vertebrae,with an average of 2.75 vertebrae.The involved segments included:9 thoracic segments,1 thoracic-lumbar segment,2 lumbar segments and 3 lumbar-sacral segments.1 patient involved jumping segments including T8.9,T12L1.Among them,5 suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis,4 tuberculous pleurisy,3 tuberculous empyema,1 tuberculosis of cervical lymph nodes,1 tuberculosis of sternum,1 tuberculosis of chest wall and 1 nephrotic syndrome.We analyzed the reasons of multidrug-resistance.All patients received individualized chemotherapy based on drug sensitivity test.The operation process and time were also collected.The treatment effects were determined by long-term follow-up.Results Among all the 16 patients,6 received 1 operation; 7 received 2 operations; 2 received 3 operations and the last operation was one-stage posterior instrumentation and anterior debridement,bone grafting which conducted in our hospital; 1 received 4 operations and the last of which was excision of sinus in our hospital.All patients were followed up for 10 to 60 months (average,28.4 months).The time of chemotherapy which accorded to the drug sensitivity test was 24 months.2 cases recurred after 22 months and 46 months of the 1st surgery and received operation again.At the last follow-up,all patients were in a stable state of tuberculosis.In 16 patients,2 were initial drug resistance and 14 were acquired drug resistance.The causes of acquired drug resistance were multiple organs tuberculosis caused by failure chemotherapy,times of failed surgeries without adjusted schedules,suspension of the anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy due to serious adverse drug reactions and so on.Conclusion It is very important to carry through the culture of tubercle bacillus and acquire the results of drug sensitive test earlier.The key to prevent and cure multidrug-resistant tuberculosis of spine are formulating individualized anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy program,monitoring closely the adverse drug reactions and selecting the appropriate time for surgery.