Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Evaluation of Spinal Tuberculosis

Introduction: To assess the diagnostic utility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of spinal tuberculosis and to determine its role in detecting disease extent, neural and paraspinal soft tissue involvement, and associated complications.

Materials and Methods: The study comprised of 50 patients referred to department of radio-diagnosis at tertiary care hospital in Ahmedabad, India between August 2024 to August 2025(12 months) with clinical suspicion of Pott’s spine. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the spine was performed.

Results: MRI effectively demonstrated early marrow edema, vertebral body destruction, and intervertebral disc involvement in patients with spinal tuberculosis. Characteristic findings included hypointense signals on T1-weighted images and hyperintense signals on T2-weighted and STIR sequences. Paravertebral and epidural abscesses, spinal canal compromise, and cord compression were accurately identified. MRI was superior to conventional radiography in detecting early disease and soft tissue involvement. MRI also enabled differentiation between active and healed disease based on signal characteristics and enhancement patterns.

Conclusion: MRI is a highly sensitive and specific imaging modality for the evaluation of spinal tuberculosis. It provides comprehensive information regarding disease activity, anatomical extent, and complications, making it indispensable in diagnosis, management planning, and follow-up of patients with Pott’s spine.