title: MR evaluation of tuberculous spondylitis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Medical College, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA