Letter to the Editor

Tuberculous, Brucellar and Pyogenic Spondylitis: Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings and Assessment of Its Value

Authors: Mehmet Halit Yilmaz, MD, Bilgül Mete, MD, Fatih Kantarci, MD, Resat Ozaras, MD, Harun Ozer, MD, Ali Mert, MD, Ismail Mihmanli, MD, Recep Ozturk, MD, Kaya Kanberoglu, MD

Abstract

To the Editor:


Infectious spondylitis is an infection by a specific organism of one or more components of the spine, namely the vertebrae, intervertebral disks, paraspinal abnormal soft tissues, and epidural space. Differential diagnosis enables proper treatment of the different types and may reduce the rate of disability and functional impairment. Differentiating the types of spondylitis clinically and radiographically is challenging.1 We aimed to assess the value of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the differentiation of tuberculous (TB), brucellar and pyogenic spondylitis.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Arizono T, Oga M, Shiota E, et al. Differentiation of vertebral osteomyelitis and tuberculous spondylitis by magnetic resonance imaging. Int Orthop 1995;19:319–322.
 
2. Colmenero JD, Jimenez-Mejias ME, Sanchez-Lora FJ, et al. Pyogenic, tuberculous, and brucellar vertebral osteomyelitis: a descriptive and comparative study of 219 cases. Ann Rheum Dis 1997;56:709–715.
 
3. Jung NY, Jee WH, Ha KY, et al. Discrimination of tuberculous spondylitis from pyogenic spondylitis on MRI. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2004;182:1405–1410.
 
4. Buchelt M, Lack W, Kutschera HP, et al. Comparison of tuberculous and pyogenic spondylitis. An analysis of 122 cases. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1993;296:192–199.
 
5. Sharif HS, Aideyan OA, Clark DC, et al. Brucellar and tuberculous spondylitis: comparative imaging features. Radiology 1989;171: 419–425.