title: Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Differentiating Spondylitis from Vertebral Metastasis.
abstract: METHODS
  Observational analytic design with a cross-sectional approach.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the suitability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in distinguishing radiology images with a corresponding delineation of spondylitis and vertebral metastasis confirmed by histology results.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  MRI is an accurate modality for assessing vertebrae and their disorders. Infections and metastasis are most commonly found in the vertebrae. It is difficult to differentiate between these two disorders both clinically and radiographically, particularly in atypical cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  McNemar statistical test was used to analyze the data. Samples were chosen using the consecutive method. There were 35 samples (14 males and 21 females), consisting of 22 samples of spondylitis and 13 samples of metastasis confirmed on histology examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen (86%) out of the 22 samples of histological spondylitis were diagnosed as having spondylitis on MRI, whereas all 13 samples of metastasis were 100% accurately diagnosed on MRI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no statistically significant difference between diagnostic radiology using MRI and histological diagnosis with a p=0.250 (p>0.05). In this respect, MRI was more precise in diagnosing metastasis. Typical MRI description of spondylitis was the involvement of anterior vertebrae and components of intervertebral discs, stiffening of discs, paravertebral abscess, and involvement of the vertebral segment sequence. Typical MRI delineation of metastasis was involvement of the anterior posterior vertebral component, paravertebral mass, and skip lesions.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Medical Faculty, Universitas of Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Yuyun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yueniwati
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Medical Faculty, Universitas of Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Dhanti Erma
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Widhiasi
keywords: Histology; Magnetic resonance imaging; Metastasis; Spondylitis