Diagnosis of Spinal Tuberculosis -A Computed Tomography Study

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Tuberculosis is an infectious disease, mainlycaused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its incidence haveincreased across the globe. Objective: This was a hospitalbased retrospective study and was used to determine the roleof CT in establishing the definitive diagnosis of spinal TB.Material and Methods: The patient data was retrievedfrom the digital database of the hospital. Out of 120 patients,14 patients were included in this study. Patients age, sex,symptoms and signs were noted down. CT scan with axial,coronal and sagittal sections were studied. Axial, coronal andsagittal sections of CT were reviewed by an expert radiologist.Results: Fourteen (11.4%) adults with spinal tuberculosiswere found among 120 patients during this study period. Themean age (± SD) in our cases was 46.5 (± 22.0) years. Out of14, 8 were males and 6 were females, with male female ratioof 1.4. The mean duration was 1.25 years. The most commonfeature was rachialgia which was seen in 93% of cases,followed by segmental spinal stiffness (50%). The diagnosisin these cases was based on history, physical examination,vertebral radiographs, CT scan and response the medications.On vertebral imaging, lumbar lesions (57%) were seen inmost of the cases, followed by dorsal (36%) and cervical (7%)involvement. The prognosis was good in all these cases exceptin two patients with medullary compression.Conclusion: In the recent years, the incidence of spinal TB hasincreased in both the developed and developing nations andis difficult to diagnose as histopathology is not done straightaway in such cases. The presence of back pain associated withmajor radiological signs of spondylosis on CT can be used todiagnose this condition