J Korean Radiol Soc.  1995 Jan;32(1):39-43.

MRI of Spinal Tuberculosis

• Kim YJ
• Yang SO
• Choi SS
• Lee YI
• Chung DH
• Oh JY

Abstract

PURPOSE
To assess the characteristic features of MR imaging in the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed MR imaging of 27 cases with pathologically-proven spinal tuberculosis and analyzed the MR findings including the extent of the lesions on non-contrast T1, proton density, and T2*VI, and the specific contrast enhancement patterns of the lesion on Gd-DTPA enhnced TIWI.
RESULTS
The inflammatory lesions showed low signal intensity on T1WI in 25 patients(93%) and high signal intensity on T2*gradient echo image in 25 patients(93%). Bone destruction was noted in 15 patients(55%), disc-space narrowing in 21 patients(77%), paravertebral abscess in 16 patients(59%), subligamentous extension in 23 patients(85%), kyphosis in 8 patients(29%), and spinal canal narrowing in 19 patients(70%). After Gd-DTPA was administrated, rim-enhancement was noted in all patients(100%).
CONCLUSION
We conclude that MR imaging is an excellent imaging modality for establishing the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis as well as delineating the extent of soft tissue involvement. Characteristic peripheral rim enhancement after injection of Gd-DTPA may provide rather specific diagnosis in spinal tuberculosis.

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Diagnosis
Gadolinium DTPA
Kyphosis
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Protons
Retrospective Studies
Spinal Canal
Tuberculosis, Spinal*
Gadolinium DTPA
Protons