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Differentiation of vertebral osteomyelitis and tuberculous spondylitis by magnetic resonance imaging

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Summary

Twenty patients with vertebral osteomyelitis and 18 with tuberculous spondylitis were investigated by magnetic resonance imaging to identify the distinguishing features. The number of vertebral bodies involved was less in vertebral osteomyelitis than in tuberculous spondylitis, and the paravertebral abscesses were smaller. The magnetic resonance intensity of the involved vertebral bodies was more homogeneous in vertebral osteomyelitis than in tuberculous spondylitis. Rim enhancement with Gadolinium-DTPA was less frequent in vertebral osteomyelitis. The differentiation of the two conditions by MRI was helpful in establishing the correct diagnosis of the infection.

Résumé

Vingt cas d'ostéomyélite vertébrale et dix huit cas de spondylite tuberculeuse ont été analysés par IRM afin d'identifier les caractères distinctifs. Le nombre de corps vertébraux atteints était moins élevé dans l'ostéomyélite vertébrale que dans la spondylite tuberculeuse. Les abcès paravertébraux sont plus petits dans l'ostéomyélite vertébrale que dans la ST. L'intensité par résonance magnétique des corps vertébraux atteints était plus homogène dans l'ostéomyélite vertébrale que dans la tuberculose vertébrale sur l'image en T1. La renforcement de la périphérie avec le gadolinium était moin fréquent dans l'ostéomyélite vertébrale. La différenciation de l'ostéomyélite vertébrale et de la tuberculose vertébrale par l'IRM est utile pour établir le diagnostic correct de l'infection vertébrale.

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Arizono, T., Oga, M., Shiota, E. et al. Differentiation of vertebral osteomyelitis and tuberculous spondylitis by magnetic resonance imaging. International Orthopaedics 19, 319–322 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00181119

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