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Brucellar and tuberculous spondylitis: comparative imaging features.
H S Sharif1, O A Aideyan, D C Clark
1Department of Radiology, Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Radiology
|May 1, 1989
Summary
Brucellar spondylitis typically affects the lower lumbar spine with limited bone destruction, while tuberculous spondylitis favors the midthoracic spine with vertebral collapse and abscesses. Imaging features can help differentiate these spinal infections.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Brucellar and tuberculous spondylitis are serious spinal infections.
- Differentiating between these two conditions is crucial for appropriate treatment.
- Radiographic and advanced imaging modalities play a key role in diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify distinguishing imaging features between brucellar and tuberculous spondylitis.
- To compare the utility of various imaging techniques in differentiating these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of radiographs, scintigrams, CT scans, and MR images.
- Involved 17 patients with brucellar spondylitis and 15 with tuberculous spondylitis.
- Focused on characteristic findings in vertebral bodies, disks, and soft tissues.
Main Results:
- Brucellar spondylitis: lower lumbar spine predilection, end-plate destruction, disk collapse, granulation tissue/edema.
- Tuberculous spondylitis: midthoracic spine predilection, gibbus deformity, disk collapse, paraspinal abscesses.
- MR imaging showed distinct signal intensities; scintigraphy was least helpful.
Conclusions:
- Distinct imaging features can help differentiate brucellar and tuberculous spondylitis.
- MR imaging is valuable for assessing spinal involvement and differentiating these infections.
- Lower lumbar tuberculous spondylitis can mimic brucellar spondylitis on imaging.