Geetika Sindhwani
BACKGROUND
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive and highly sensitive modality capable of mutliplanar imaging. It helps us to diagnose tubercular spondylitis, where plain radiographs are normal with added advantage of detecting extramedullary tuberculosis, arachnoiditis and intramedullary tuberculosis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
MRI Spine was done in 60 clinically and radiographically suspected cases of spinal tuberculosis to establish diagnosis and evaluate extent and neural involvement. Statistical analysis was done using percentages and proportions.
RESULTS
On MR imaging, a total of 195 vertebrae were found to be involved. The number of vertebral involvement range from 1 to maximum of 10. Contiguous vertebral involvement was seen in 86.67%. Single vertebral involvement was noted in 13.33% patients and 6.67% patients showed skip lesions. Out of 82 involved intervertebral discs, 34.14% discs showed total collapse, 31.4% (26/28) showed partial collapse and 31.14% (28/82) showed intact disc height. 83.33% had paraspinal abscesses on MR imaging. Spinal cord compression was seen in 34 (56.7%) patients, out of which 27/34(79.4%) patients had spinal cord signal alteration. Meningeal involvement and intramedullary granuloma were seen in 1/60 patients.
CONCLUSION
This study highlights the contribution of MRI in early identification, exact extent of disease, non-radiographically accessible lesions and in atypical presentations like isolated posterior element involvement.
