Comparison of diagnostic value of three imaging examination methods (MRI, CT and X-ray) in the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis lesion

Abstract

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of three imaging examination methods (MRI, CT and X-ray) in the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis lesion. Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical data was carried out in 50 patients with spinal tuberculosis with complete imaging data from February 2013 to June 2015. The imaging performance of X-ray, CT and MRI of patients were observed, and the diagnostic value of three examination methods were compared. Results The accuracy rate, sensitivity, specificity of CT in the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis was 72.65%, 68.88%, 72.33%, and the accuracy rate, sensitivity, specificity of MRI in the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis was 86.39%, 79.69%, 90.25%, which were significantly higher than those of X-ray, and the accuracy rate, sensitivity, specificity of MRI was significantly higher than those of CT, there were significant differences among the three groups (P<0.05); the detection rate of MRI to destruction of bone, narrowing of intervertebral space, abscessus and spinal canal involvement was 98.00%, 100.00%, 94.00%, 88.00%, which was significantly higher than those of X-ray and CT, there were significant differences among the three groups (P<0.05), the detection rate of CT to calcification (60.00%) was significantly higher than that of X-ray and MRI examination (P<0.05). Conclusions The main performances of X-ray films are destruction of bone and narrowing of intervertebral space, and X-ray is the basic method for the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis. CT can display the location of lesions, has a high value in the diagnosis of calcification, cavity and sequestration. MRI can clearly display soft tissue site invaded by lesions, and it can increase the diagnostic accuracy of spinal tuberculosis, is a reliable examination method in the early diagnosis and identification. Key words: MRI; CT; X-ray; Spinal tuberculosis; Diagnostic value