Complications of tuberculosis spondylitis detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A low income country perspective

Objective: To assess the complications of tuberculosis spondylitis (TS) detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Advanced Radiology Clinic, Karachi in 2011. Patients of any age or gender with clinical features of TS supported by lab tests (anemia, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), positive Mantoux test) were included in the study. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 17. Results: Out of 91 patients, 87 (95.6%) had complications. Abscesses were the most common of all complications found in 81(89%) patients followed by cord compression found in 38(41.8%) and spinal deformity in 31(34.1%) patients. Conclusion: MRI is the method of choice for early and delayed TS cases since it specifically identifies the nature of the disease and offers a therapeutic pathway for further treatment of the disease.