Title: MR Imaging Features of Tuberculosis of the Spine
Authors: Dr Rohini Avantsa, Dr Prachi Kala, Dr Vidya Bhargavi
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i7.87
Abstract
Background: Spinal tuberculosis is most common form of skeletal tuberculosis. Radiological findings mimic many other infections and spinal diseases. Understanding the pattern of infection, early detection of the disease is important to prevent the complications and disability, and MRI is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosing spinal infections and is promising diagnostic modality in patients with suspected spinal tuberculosis. The purpose of the study is to describe features of spinal tuberculosis (TB) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), extent of disease and complications.
Methods: MR images of 40 patients with proven Spinal Tuberculosis were retrospectively analyzed and results were tabulated.
Results: The majority of the patients were males (n=28) and are above 40 years age group (60%). The most common clinical presentation was pain (83%). The lumbar spine was the commonest site of the disease (27.5%) followed by thoracic region (22.5%). Typical presentation was most frequently observed (87.5%) and skip lesions were more among the atypical presentation (80%). 40% cases are associated with complications and most frequent complication observed was compressive myelopathy (43.75%).
Conclusions: MRI is highly sensitive in the detecting spinal tuberculosis at various stages of disease process , their pattern of occurrence and soft tissue involvement.
Keywords: Spinal tuberculosis, Magnetic resonance imaging, skip lesions, contiguous, Epidural, Psoas.
