Imaging of tuberculosis of the spine

ELHJ Teo, WCG Peh
Correspondence: Dr Harvey E L Teo, eteo@kkh.com.sg

ABSTRACT
Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death worldwide that can be attributed to a single infectious agent. With the onset of the AIDS epidemic, there has been a resurgence of TB in recent years. Skeletal TB constitutes 1% to 3% of extrapulmonary cases, and typically involves the spine. TB of the spine should be considered in the differential diagnosis of many spinal conditions affecting patients of all ages. The pathophysiology, clinical and imaging features of TB of the spine are reviewed, with illustrations of findings on radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Familiarity with the imaging features of TB of the spine may enable a more rapid diagnosis to be made, thereby preventing a delay in diagnosis with its consequent complications.

Keywords: computed tomography, infective spondylitis, magnetic resonance imaging, radiography, tuberculosis
Singapore Med J 2004; 45(9): 439-445