Nasreen Naz, Lutfullah Balocii.
Radiological features of tuberculous (TB) spondylitis.
Med Channel Jan ;13(4):40-3.

OBJECTIVE: To assess radiological features of tuberculosis spondylitis on plain x-rays. DESIGN: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY. Place & Duration of Study: Civil Hospital - Karachi. Front Nov2006 to July 2007. PATIENTS & METHODS: In this study, 60 Patients of diagnosed cases of Tuberculosis Spine were collected front Civil Hospital-Karachi, both out door (OPD) & Indoor (admitted) patients. In this study patients of T.B. Spine presenting with history of backache, fever, parapresis/ paraplegia and kyphus deformity, were evaluated by laboratory tests results, histology and Conventional imaging (X-ray Chest & Spine). Other modalities Re myelography, CT & MRI were also utilized according to requirement and clinical presentation. Patients of all ages and either gender were included and the patients having non Tubercular cases of Spondylitis excluded from the study. Results were expressed in numbers & percentages. RESULTS: Total 60 cases of tuberculous spine were seen during the study period. These consisted of 33 males (55%) & 27 females (45%) with mean age of 32.5 + SD. The most commonly affected level of Spine is lower thoracic and upper lumber vertebra (43%) It is worth mentioning that 5 cases of T.B. Cervical Spine were also present (8%). The most common symptoms was backache in 38 cases (63%) while the most common sign was local tenderness spinal cord compression found in 18 cases (30%). The most specific investigation was plain radiograph of the spine. In almost 95% cases Intervertebral disc space was involved / reduced. The Radiological features of 60 cases of T.B. Spine on plain X-rays were seen as: Wedge Collapse of body 12 (20%), Destruction of disc 24 (40%), Complete destruction of the body 16 (26%), Osteopenia of body 10 (16%), Destruction/ Erosion of pedicle 00%, Para spinal abscess 22 (36%) & Calcification 18 (30%) CONCLUSION: The incidence of tuberculosis of the spine continues to rise in on country. TB spine is most common in males than females, lower thoracic &upper lumbar region is more common area of involvement . Most common pattern of TB spine is pott`s disease. The Conventional Radiology has a pivotal role in the evaluation of TB Spondylitis In all cases plain X-ray spine was used as a primary and baseline imaging modality Recovery among these patients is remarkable if diagnosed earlier

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