DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i12.017

Pages: 4259-4265

Tuberculous (TB) spondylitis is one of the commonest presentations of skeletal TB causing considerable morbidity due to its potential of causing deformity and neurological sequelae. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the diagnostic modality of choice to detect early TB and to know the extent of the disease. The objective of this study was to find out the frequency and pattern of various lesions of TB spondylitis on MRI. This was a prospective study in patients diagnosed as TB spondylitis. Axial and sagittal T1 weighted, T2 weighted and contrast enhanced T1weighted images were studied. The frequency and pattern of different lesions of TB spondylitis causing abnormal signals in spinal and paraspinal areas was analysed. A slight female preponderance was seen with 52% females versus 48% males. Maximum cases were in 20 to 40 years age group. Most common region of involvement was thoracic vertebrae(38%) followed by cervical vertebrae.(24%).Contiguous vertebral involvement was seen in 94% cases, disc involvement in 68% cases, paraspinal involvement in 76%, epidural involvement in 74% cases posterior element involvement in 18 % cases, and deformity in 14 % of the cases. About 76% discs showed peripheral pattern of enhancement. MRI features of Spinal TB are contiguous involvement of 2 vertebrae along with disc involvement, skip lesions and paraspinal collections. It also gives important information of involvement of spinal cord and extent of the disease. Hence early detection can lead to prompt treatment and can prevent complications.