Research Article
The Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation of Tubercular Spondylitis
Ahmad F1, Kataria B2* and Anil Taneja3
1Department of Radio diagnosis, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India.
2Senior Resident, Department of Radio diagnosis, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India.
3Department of Radio diagnosis, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India
2Senior Resident, Department of Radio diagnosis, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India.
3Department of Radio diagnosis, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India
*Corresponding author:Bhavya Kataria, Department of Radio diagnosis, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India. Email Id: nono_5333@yahoo.co.in
Copyright: © 2024 Ahmad F, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Article Information:Submission: 08/08/2024; Accepted: 26/09/2024; Published: 30/09/2024
Abstract
Background:Tuberculous spondylitis [TS], also known as Pott disease, affects the spine and can cause severe damage if not diagnosed early. In countries like India, TS is a major health concern due to its high prevalence.
Purpose:The study aimed to determine the role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MRI] in evaluating TS and compare the diagnosis with X-ray for evaluating the TS manifestations.
Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Department of Radio Diagnosis at ABVIMS and Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi, enrolling 106 subjects who presented TS. The subjects were clinically and biochemically evaluated for TS, followed by radiological and MRI assessments.
Results:The most common symptom was insidious onset backache, observed in >90% of cases. Elevated ESR and CRP levels were found in about ~74% of subjects and a positive Mantoux test in 67.9%. Reduced vertebral body height was seen in >85% of cases, irrespective of their gender. Para-vertebral calcification and loss of Psoas shadow were observed in only 12% and 16% of subjects, respectively. Epidural collection was more common in females than males [29.3% vs. 64.6%], and intra-medullary collections were rare [1.9%]. X-ray imaging was highly sensitive [100%] and specific [100%] in identifying the reduction in vertebral body height, vertebral body collapse, and para vertebral calcification to MRI.
Conclusion:Although MRI is the preferred method for accurate diagnosis and management of TS, X-ray can serve as a costeffective alternative for early detection in developing countries such as India.
Purpose:The study aimed to determine the role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MRI] in evaluating TS and compare the diagnosis with X-ray for evaluating the TS manifestations.
Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Department of Radio Diagnosis at ABVIMS and Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi, enrolling 106 subjects who presented TS. The subjects were clinically and biochemically evaluated for TS, followed by radiological and MRI assessments.
Results:The most common symptom was insidious onset backache, observed in >90% of cases. Elevated ESR and CRP levels were found in about ~74% of subjects and a positive Mantoux test in 67.9%. Reduced vertebral body height was seen in >85% of cases, irrespective of their gender. Para-vertebral calcification and loss of Psoas shadow were observed in only 12% and 16% of subjects, respectively. Epidural collection was more common in females than males [29.3% vs. 64.6%], and intra-medullary collections were rare [1.9%]. X-ray imaging was highly sensitive [100%] and specific [100%] in identifying the reduction in vertebral body height, vertebral body collapse, and para vertebral calcification to MRI.
Conclusion:Although MRI is the preferred method for accurate diagnosis and management of TS, X-ray can serve as a costeffective alternative for early detection in developing countries such as India.
Keywords:Magnetic resonance imaging; X-ray; tuberculosis; Spondylitis; India; Back Pain