مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of Patients with Brucellar and Tuberculosis Spondylodiscitis

Abstract :

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to discuss and compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of brucellosis and tuberculosis spondylodiscitis. Materials and Methods: Eleven patients with brucellar spondylodiscitis and seven patients with tuberculosis spondylodiscitis according to findings of clinics, laboratory and MRI were included to this retrospective study. Fat-saturated and non fat-saturated T1 and T2 images, STIR images (Short Tau Inversion Recovery) were evaluated using 1.5 Tesla MRI equipment. Vertebral bodies, discs, epidural space and paravertebral soft tissues were also evaluated for involvement of the diseases. Results: Intervertebral disc involvement was seen in all of the cases. Multifocal involvement was seen in one patient with brucellosis and five patients with tuberculosis. Paravertebral soft tissue involvement was seen in all of the patients with tuberculosis and six patients with brucellosis. Epidural involvement was seen in six patients with brucellosis and tuberculosis. Bone erosions were seen in all patients with tuberculosis and five patients with brucellosis. Paravertebral abscess was seen in six patients with tuberculosis and two patients with brucellosis. Conclusions: Huge vertebral destruction and paravertebral abscess formation, multifocal involvement may suggest tuberculosis related spondylodiscitis more than brucellar spondylodiscitis