MR evaluation of tuberculous spondylitis.
A total of 29 proven tuberculous spondylitis patients underwent MR studies. Gd-DTPA enhancement was performed in 10 patients. Contiguous 2 vertebral involvement, subligamental spread of paraspinal abscesses and cord indentation were observed in 93% of the cases. Destruction of the vertebral body occurred in 76%. Intermediate or low T1 signal intensity and high T2 signal intensity were observed by MR. A combination of these characteristic findings strongly suggests the diagnosis of tuberculous spondylitis. Gd-DTPA administration did not facilitate diagnosis. MR examination should be considered as the main imaging modality for patients with suspected tuberculous spondylitis.
Liu
G C
GC
Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Medical College, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Chou
M S
MS
Tsai
T C
TC
Lin
S Y
SY
Shen
Y S
YS
D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000175:diagnosis*
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA