MR Imaging in Infectious Spondylitis

Abstract

BACKGROUNDSpondylodiscitis is characterized by infection involving the intervertebral disc and adjacent vertebrae. MRI is the imaging modality of choice due to its very high sensitivity and specificity. It is also useful in differentiating between pyogenic, tubercular, brucellar and other types of spondylitis. Hence this study was undertaken to evaluate MRI findings in infectious spondylitis. MATERIALS AND METHODSTotally, 40 patients referred for MRI scans with the clinical diagnosis of spinal infections were included in our study. The patients were classified as tubercular, pyogenic, and brucellar spondylodiscitis on the basis of imaging findings and were correlated with the final diagnosis made by histopathology/cytology/culture/biochemistry or with successful therapeutic outcome and were subsequently analysed for sensitivity, specificity and accuracy based on the imaging findings. RESULTSStatistical analysis was done using the Chi square test and Z test. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and p value of the MRI findings in tubercular, pyogenic and brucellar spondylitis was calculated and the inference and conclusion were made based on the above findings. CONCLUSIONMRI was accurate for differentiation of tuberculous spondylitis from pyogenic and brucellar spondylitis.