Computed tomography detection of clinically unsuspected skeletal tuberculosis
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Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoprobes for Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Detection
Published on: February 16, 2020
Pankaj Gupta1, Mahesh Prakash1, Navneet Sharma2
1Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, 160012.
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.
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