Radiological manifestations of tuberculosis of the spine

Yoon, Y

Abstract

The classical roentigenographic features of tuberculosis of the spine (narrowing of the intervertebral disc,collapse of the vertebral bodies, with or without the shadow of a cold abscess) presents as specific picture ofthe actual pathological process. However the diagnosis of tuberculosis is not positive unless confirmed by biopsy,or the finding of the tubercle bacillus. 151 cases of spinal tuberculosis, proved at Seout National UniversityHospital during the periods from June 1969 through June 1975, were studied and analysed. The results were asfollows: 1. The ratio of male to female was 1.1:1 The age preference was under 10 years old (28%) 2. The mostfrequent site of involvement of the spinal tuberculosis was thoracic spine (38%), th next was lumbar (30%) 3. Theincidence of lytic type is 56%, mixed type in 36%, and sclerotic type in 5%, respectively. 4. Central type,wedging or collapse of vertebral body, is more predominant in younger age group and intervertebral articular typein older age. 5. The incidences of typical radiologic finding were narrowings of intervertebral space(93%),collapse of vertebral body(74%), and cold abscess(52%), respectively.