Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of tuberculous spondylitis vs. pyogenic spondylitis

Objective: To assess the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features differentiating tuberculous spondylitis from pyogenic spondylitis. Methods: MR imaging findings in 10 patients with tuberculous spondylitis were retrospectively compared with those of 13 patients with pyogenic spondylitis. Results: There were significant differences in imaging criteria (paraspinal abnormal signal, paraspinal or intraspinal abscess, thoracic spine involvement, and abnormal signal around the facet joint). Conclusions: MR imaging is a very useful technique for differentiation of tuberculous spondylitis from pyogenic spondylitis. (c) 2008 Published by Elsevier Inc.