Infectious spondylitis: MRI characteristics
Journal
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Journal Volume
95
Journal Issue
6
Pages
458-463
Date Issued
1996
Author(s)
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 24 patients with clinically proven infectious spondylitis were retrospectively evaluated. Evaluation was made of abnormal signal and enhancement patterns within vertebral bodies, intervening disks, and epidural and paraspinal abscesses. The causative organisms included Mycobacterium tuberculosis, fungi and pyogenic bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant causative organism among pyogentic bacteria. Decreased signal intensity of vertebral marrow on T1-weighted images was more extensive in pyogenic infections. Multilevel involvement (more than two) was observed in six of the 24 patients. Contiguous multilevel involvement was observed only in patients with tuberculous spondylitis. Noninvolvement of the intervertebral disk space was observed in two patients with pyogenic spondylitis. Epidural abscess was found in 15 patients, most of whom had dense, homogeneous enhancement. Paraspinal abscess was found in 18 patients. Diffuse patchy enhancement without obvious abscess formation in the paraspinal compartment was found in those patients with pyogenic infections. "Rice bodies" were found in paraspinal abscesses in only three patients with tuberculous spondylitis. It was difficult to differentiate candidal from tuberculous spondylitis on MRI. Compared with pyogenic infection, tuberculous spondylitis had a predilection for spinal deformity, subligamentous spread, contiguous multilevel involvement, presence of signal voids in paraspinal abscesses on T2WI and a lesser extent of marrow edema.
Subjects
Fungus; Infections spondylitis; Magnetic resonance imaging; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Staphylococcus aureus
SDGs
Other Subjects
adolescent; adult; aged; article; bacterial infection; child; female; human; male; middle aged; mycosis; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; preschool child; retrospective study; spondylitis; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bacterial Infections; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Mycoses; Retrospective Studies; Spondylitis
Type
journal article