Introduction: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluation of tubercular spondylitis and to correlate imaging findings with clinical severity of the disease.
Methods: One hundred consecutive patients, who presented with features suggestive of spinal infections, were subjected to MRI examination. T1W and STIR images were obtained followed by T2W and post-contrast T1W images. Various imaging characteristics of spinal infections were noted and correlated with the clinical severity of the disease.
Results: Backache was the most common presenting symptom present in 86 %, while paraparesis was the most common sign seen in 62 %. The neurological status of the patients correlated well with MRI findings in the majority of the cases with an overall good correlation obtained in 96 % of cases. The majority of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs affected showed hypointensity or isointensity on T1W images and hyperintensity on T2W images. Epidural/dural disease was present in 74 % while 68 % of patients demonstrated decreased intervertebral disc height. Epidural extension and subligamentous spread was in 74 % and 90 % of patients respectively.
Conclusions: MRI plays a vital role in early and accurate diagnosis of spinal infections. It is non-invasive and clearly demonstrates soft tissue anatomy and pathology which makes it superior to X-rays and Computed Tomography (CT). Imaging findings of tubercular spondylitis were also found to have a good correlation with the clinical status of the patients. Hence, it is of much help in the evaluation and assessment of patients presenting with features of spinal infections.
Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging, spinal tuberculosis, tubercular spondylitis
Renal artery pseudoaneurysm, although a well-known complication in patients after penetrating trauma or iatrogenic injury, has rarely been described after blunt torso trauma. A 22-year-old man suffered an accident while on a motorcycle. Upon arrival in the Emergency Room, the patient was unconscious, hypotensive and had hematuria. Initial investigations revealed a fractured shaft of the right femur, multiple rib fractures with hemothorax, extradural haematoma on the right side and a laceration in the right kidney. After the evacuation of intracranial bleed, the patient was managed conservatively. The patient recovered well and was discharged on the 15th post-trauma day. The patient was again present in the emergency room after 6 weeks with 1-week history of gross hematuria. Ultrasonography revealed an anechoic lesion in the right kidney with pulsatile flow on colour Doppler. Further investigation with computed tomography renal angiography was done, which confirmed the pseudoaneurysm of a branch of renal artery. The patient was referred to a higher centre where he was successfully managed with selective arterial coil embolisation.
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