Spinal tuberculosis: MRI findings in a case series of 35 patients

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health burden worldwide. Ten million people were diagnosed with TB in 2020. With 1.5 million deaths in 2020, TB is the 13th cause of mortality and the second most common cause of infectious deaths, preceded only by COVID-19. The vast majority of cases are reported from low- and middle-income countries. MRI of the spine is a reliable tool for the diagnosis of TB spondylitis. Findings such as involvement of the endplates and vertebral body, thoracic spine, para-spinal collection and psoas abscesses and relative sparing of the intervertebral disc are highly suggestive of spinal TB rather than other diagnoses. Combined with Gene Xpert tests, MRI can render very high diagnostic accuracy. This is essential for early detection of tuberculous disease of the spine and timely initiation of medical treatmen. We present a series of 35 patients with typical MRI findings of spinal tuberculosis.