Differentiation between Tuberculous Spondylitis and Pyogenic Spondylitis on MR Imaging.
10.14245/kjs.2011.8.4.283
- Author:
Jong Han PARK
1
;
Hye Seon SHIN
;
Jong Tae PARK
;
Tae Young KIM
;
Ki Seong EOM
Author Information
1. Department of Neurosurgery, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea. kseom@wonkwang.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Spondylitis;
Tuberculous;
Pyogenic;
MR Imaging
- MeSH:
Abscess;
Biopsy;
Bone Marrow;
Humans;
Intervertebral Disc;
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy;
Male;
Retrospective Studies;
Spine;
Spondylitis
- From:Korean Journal of Spine
2011;8(4):283-287
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of tuberculous spondylitis with pyogenic spondylitis. METHODS: MR images of the spines of 41 patients with infectious spondylitis at our institution over 8-years of period were retrospectively reviewed. Eighteen patients with infective spondylitis were excluded because their results on the marrow biopsy and culture were negative. MR imaging findings in 6 patients with tuberculous spondylitis (3 male, 3 female) were compared with those of 17 patients (10 male, 7 female) with pyogenic spondylitis. RESULTS: Two MR imaging findings were statiscally significant in differentiating the tuberculous spondylitis from pyogenic spondylitis: a well defined paraspinal abnormal signal and a thin and smooth abscess wall. There were no significant differences in the following MR imaging findings: paraspinal abscess or intraosseous abscess, subligamentous spread to three or more vertebra, involvement of multiple vertebra, hyperintense signal on T2-weighted images, heterogenous low signal on T1-weighted images, involvement of posterior element, epidural extension, involvement of intervertebral disk, disk space narrowing, rim enhancement of the abscess, skip lesion, and endplate destruction. CONCLUSION: MR imaging is an appropriate modality for differentiation of tuberculous spondylitis from pyogenic spondylitis.
