[Computed tomographic and scintigraphic diagnosis of bacterial spondylitis. Differential diagnosis]

Thirty-six patients with bacterial spondylitis and eight patients with hemispherical spondylosclerosis (Dihlmann 1981) were examined by conventional x-ray techniques, computed tomography, 99mTc-MDP scintigraphy and 67Gallium scintigraphy. Conventional radiology is adequate for making the diagnosis. Where there is doubt, however, and for observing the progress of the disease, CT and scintigraphy may be used. Hemispherical spondylosclerosis can be identified by means of these additional methods.