Imaging of musculoskeletal tuberculosis

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Orthopedics
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) affecting the musculoskeletal system often presents with vague symptoms, mimicking other conditions.
• Accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of spinal and extra-spinal musculoskeletal TB can be challenging for clinicians.
• Imaging modalities play a critical role in the detection, diagnosis, complication identification, and disease progression monitoring of musculoskeletal TB.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of imaging in diagnosing musculoskeletal tuberculosis.
• To familiarize radiologists with the diverse imaging features of spinal and extra-spinal TB.
• To improve the diagnostic accuracy and management of patients with musculoskeletal TB.

Main Methods:

• Review of imaging features of musculoskeletal TB.
• Emphasis on the utility of radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Discussion of typical and atypical presentations of TB in various musculoskeletal locations.

Main Results:

• Musculoskeletal TB can present with non-specific clinical signs, necessitating reliance on imaging.
• Radiographs and MRI are essential tools for visualizing the extent and characteristics of TB.
• Familiarity with imaging findings aids in differentiating TB from other pathologies.

Conclusions:

• Imaging is indispensable for the diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal TB.
• Radiologists must recognize the varied imaging manifestations of TB in the musculoskeletal system.
• Early and accurate imaging diagnosis facilitates timely treatment and improves patient outcomes.