The value of MRI on early diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis

Objective:To evaluate the value of MRI on early diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis.Method:The MRI features of 98 patients with spinal tuberculosis proved by clinic and pathology were reviewed.The MRI changes of vertebrae,end-plates,intervertebral discs,abscess and vertebral canal were observed and compared with that of CT scan and X-ray film.Result:In the early stage of spinal tuberculosis,the vertebral shape was normal,but its anterior-mediate part was destroyed,the destruction showed long T1 and T2 signal with blurred margin.The destruction of end-plate was limited.The signal of intervertebral disc was not homogenous,small cystiform abcess was seen in the involved disc.The paraspinal soft tissue edema or abcess was formed.The MRI was better than X-ray and CT scan in the terms of showing destruction of vertebrae and intervertebral disc,paraspinal abcess,and narrowed vertebral canal(P0.05).Conclusion:The MRI can clearly demonstrate osteitis,abcess,destruction of end-plate and vertebrae as well as the narrow degree of vertebral canal,on the other hand,the MRI is helpful to differentiate between vertebral tumor and tuberculosis.