Study of MRI Morphology of Spinal Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND
\nSpinal tuberculosis is the infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis of spine or one
\nor more of its structures namely the vertebra, intravertebral discs, paraspinal soft
\ntissues, and the epidural space. Thoracic vertebrae are commonly affected
\nfollowed by lumbar and cervical vertebrae. MRI is the method of choice in
\nevaluating spinal infection and their sequelae. We wanted to study the MRI
\nmorphology (vertebral body involvement, paravertebral involvement, intraspinal
\ninvolvement, disc involvement, deformities and sequelae) of spinal tuberculosis.
\nMETHODS
\nThis is a cross-sectional observational study conducted among patients with
\nsuspected spinal tuberculosis, who reported to Department of Radiodiagnosis, GSL
\nMedical College, Rajahmundry. The study was conducted over a period of 18
\nmonths. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS version 21.0 & MS Excel 2013.
\nInformed consent was obtained from all the patients. PHILIPS INGENIA CX which
\nhas a super conducting magnet of a magnetic field strength of 1.5 Tesla was used
\nin this study.
\nRESULTS
\nIn our study, the most common age group was 20-40 years with a mean age of
\n54 years. On MRI study, patients showed paraspinal and epidural inflammatory
\nmass, subligamentous spread beneath the anterior longitudinal ligament and skip
\nlesions. Few cases with wedge compression collapse showed gibbus deformity.
\nSingle vertebral involvement was seen in very few cases.
\nCONCLUSIONS
\nMRI with its high spatial resolution, multiplanar imaging capability, tissue
\ncharacterization, is the imaging modality of choice for evaluating suspected cases
\nof spinal tuberculosis. MRI is more sensitive in detecting involvement of posterior
\nelements especially when plain films are normal.
\n