Computed tomography of vertebral tuberculosis: patterns of bone destruction.
A retrospective analysis was performed of CT scans of 30 consecutive patients with a clinical suspicion or diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis. Four patterns of bone destruction were noted, namely, fragmentary, osteolytic, subperiosteal and well-defined lytic with sclerotic margins. The fragmentary type was most common (47%). Intervertebral disc destruction was always associated with contiguous vertebral body destruction. Associated paravertebral soft-tissue masses were seen in all patients. Epidural extension of disease was seen in 66% and showed a very good correlation with neurological signs on clinical evaluation. Bone fragments were detected in the epidural soft-tissue mass in 65% of patients with epidural extension of disease. CT appearances of bone destruction are highly suggestive of tuberculous osteomyelitis in about half the patients.
Jain
R
R
Department of Radiodiagnosis, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
Sawhney
S
S
Berry
M
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010014:Osteolysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*