ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the X-ray,CT and MRI findings of synovial tuberculosis,and to evaluate the role of MRI in diagnosing synovial tuberculosis.Methods Fourteen eases of synovial tuberculosis comfirmed by operation and pathology were retrospectively analyzed and summarized. All patients were examined by MRI and X-ray,and CT scans were performed in 3 cases. Results X-ray showed joint swelling(8 cases),articular space narrowing(7 cases),marginal joint erosions(4 cases), and periarticular osteoporosis(9 cases).The joint swelling was detected on CT in all 3 cases,and bony erosion and speckled sequestra were seen in 2 cases.MRI in all of patients showed joint swelling and synovial proliferation in different drgees,demonstrated as heterogeneously low signal on T_1 WI and slight high signal(7 cases)and obvious high signal(6 cases)on T_2WI,and diffuse synovial proliferation was demonstrated as massive and nodular signal in 8 cases.Joint effusion was present in 7 cases as low signal on T_1WI and high signal on T_2 WI.Osseous erosion lesions were seen in 7 cases,and intra-artieular cartilage thinned,partly or mostly disappeared in 11 cases.Periarticular bone marrow edema was found in 7 cases. Conclusion MRI was superior to X-ray and CT in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of synovial tuberculosis.