Magnetic resonance imaging findings of patients with suspected tuberculosis from a tertiary care centre in Sri Lanka

Introduction Spinal tuberculosis (TB) is a relatively common cause for spinal pathology in Sri Lanka and a common indication for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Objectives The objective of the study was to describe the MRI imaging pattern of spinal TB in a series of patients. Methods One hundred and nine patients with clinically confirmed spinal tuberculosis who had undergone MRI scans at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka from 2012-2016 were included in the study. Results The commonest vertebral level of spinal TB involvement was at L4/5 level, followed by L5/S1 level. L5 vertebral body involvement was the commonest and L4 was second commonest. Single level involvement (68.8%) was commoner than multiple (31.2%) involvement or contiguous involvement. Wedging (24.8%), erosions (89%), end plate changes (96.3%), canal stenosis (77.1%), paravertebral collection (65.1%), prevertebral collection (39.4%), psoas abscess (23.9%) and epidural collection (45.9%) were noted. No significant difference was seen between females and males. Conclusions Spinal tuberculosis commonly involves L4/5 level.