Spectrum of MR Imaging Findings in Spinal Tuberculosis

Description: AJR 2002; 179:979-983 Srikanth Moorthy and Nirmal K. Prabhu Both authors: Department of Radiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Amrita La., Elamakkara P. O., Cochin-682026, Kerala, India.
The relative rarity and varied presentations of spinal tuberculosis pose diagnostic difficulty, warranting its inclusion in the differential diagnosis of any spinal disorder [4]. However, immigration, an aging population, and the association of spinal tuberculosis with HIV infection can be expected to increase its prevalence. MR imaging is usually performed to evaluate suspected spinal abnormalities, and the disease may first be detected when symptomatic patients undergo this examination. The purpose of our pictorial essay is to review the various typical and atypical findings of spinal tuberculosis on MR imaging. All patients included were HIV negative.