Radiological features of tuberculosis of the spine in Ibadan, Nigeria

In Nigeria, tuberculosis of the spine remains an important medical problem in the diagnosis and management of which radiology plays an invaluable role. The present study reviewed sixty-nine cases seen in 1966-1972 at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. The possible radiological classification of the disease was grouped into seven different types:- (i) disc space narrowing only (ii) kissing lesions; (iii) wedge collapse of vertebra; (iv) vertebra plana; (v) lesions localised in the vertebral body and/or its appendages; (vi) para-spinal abscesses; (vii) complete destruction of vertebral body. The dorsolumbar region was the most frequently involved with D.11 vertebra being most often affected. The maximum number of vertebrae involved was eight but involvement of two was the most frequent. Some uncommonly reported radiological features encountered include bone sclerosis, intervertebral non-osteophytic bony bridge formation and skip lesions.