Pankaj Gupta1, Mahesh Prakash2, Navneet Sharma3, Rajinder Kanojia4, Niranjan Khandelwal1. 1. Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, 160012. 2. Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, 160012. Electronic address: Image73@gmail.com. 3. Department of Internal Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, 160012. 4. Department of Orthopedics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, 160012.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report the frequency of clinically unsuspected axial skeletal tuberculosis (STB) and findings on computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An evaluation of CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis of patients with tuberculosis was done. Bone window images were evaluated for skeletal involvement. RESULTS: Of the 726 CT studies, 34 (4.7%) patients had skeletal involvement. Thoracic spine was the most commonly affected site with involvement of body in 58% cases. Intervertebral disc involvement, soft tissue abscess, and epidural extension were identified in 83%, 53%, and 39% of cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of bone window on CT can detect axial STB.
OBJECTIVE: To report the frequency of clinically unsuspected axial skeletal tuberculosis (STB) and findings on computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An evaluation of CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis of patients with tuberculosis was done. Bone window images were evaluated for skeletal involvement. RESULTS: Of the 726 CT studies, 34 (4.7%) patients had skeletal involvement. Thoracic spine was the most commonly affected site with involvement of body in 58% cases. Intervertebral disc involvement, soft tissue abscess, and epidural extension were identified in 83%, 53%, and 39% of cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of bone window on CT can detect axial STB.