DOI: 10.36347/sjams. 2015.v03i09.058

Pages: 3430-3435

Introduction: Spinal tuberculosis is usually a secondary infection from a primary site in the lung or genitourinary system. TB is more common particularly in developing countries. The most common extrapulmonary location of TB is the spine, accounting for more than 50% of musculoskeletal TB. In the developing countries, the disease has an aggressive course, particularly in children and young adults resulting in abscess formation. Objectives: To study the disease pattern in patients of spinal tuberculosis by Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh from October 2014 to September 2015. Total 40 patients who underwent MR imaging of Spine were randomly considered forth is study. The study type was cross sectional study. This study has been performed using a 1.5T PHILIPS ACHIEVA MRI scan machineusing spinal coil. Sequences used were T1axial and sagittal, T2 axial, sagittal and coronal, STIR in sagittal and coronal planes. T1+ contrast, DWI and ADC sequences will be used whenever possible. Results: The study included total 40 patients, with an age range of 21-60 years with majority of them in the 31– 40-year age group. There were 26 males (65%) and 14 females (35%). The most common clinical presentation was backache (75%) with a localized kyphosis deformity followed by fever (62.5%), malaise (47.5%) and weight loss (22.5%). The Thoracic spine was the commonest site of the disease (35%) followed by the thoracolumbar region (30%). An intervertebral disc involvement, pre and paravertebral collections, subligamental extension of the abscess were commonly seen, with an epidural collection occurring in more than 75 % of the cases. In addition, few cases also showed intramedullary and intradural involvement. Conclusion: MRI examination is highly sensitive in detecting the various pathological processes of spinal tuberculosis and their patterns of development. The extent of s