STUDY TO KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN DETERMINING THE EXTENT OF DISEASE IN SPINAL TUBERCULOSIS

Objective: To know the importance of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in evaluating the expansion of disease in tuberculosis of Spine. Study Design: A descriptive study. Place and Duration: In the Surgery and Orthopedic Department of Nishtar Hospital, Multan from July 2016 to July 2017 for one year period. Method: 60 patients with tuberculosis of the spine were selected for the study who were referred to the Orthopedic and Surgery Department of Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Total males were (55%) 33, females were 27 (45%) and 14-36 years was the age range. The average age was 32. Patients’ clinical characteristics were recorded in pre-designed Performa and detailed data was collected. In this study, we included spinal TB diagnosed cases. Non-tuberculous spondylitis Patients were not included in the study. Findings: The most common symptom was 38 cases of low back pain (63%). The compression of the spine was detected in 17 cases (27.06%). The thoracolumbar spine (45%) most commonly affected. There was more than one involvement in only 3 cases (05%) and diffuse involvement occurs rarely. For primary imaging modality Plain radiography was done. Magnetic resonance is the most precious research. The magnetic resonance of the tuberculous spine was reduced in the intervertebral disc space (95%). body 13 (19.9%), body wedge 18 (30%), paraspinal attachment 25 (40.1%) completely destroyed. Card compression was 16 (26.6%) and Calcification was 18 (30%). Conclusion: Magnetic resonance imaging is the most important research for diagnosing spinal tuberculosis patients. It provides information about disease grading and is therefore used as a tool for surgical treatment. During follow-up of Tb spine patients MRI is also used to monitor treatment response. Key Words: MRI, tuberculous spine, spondylitis