DIFFERENTIATION OF VERTEBRAL OSTEOMYELITIS AND TUBERCULOUS SPONDYLITIS BY MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

Twenty patients with vertebral osteomyelitis and 18 with tuberculous s pondylitis 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, a nd the paravertebral abscesses were smaller: The magnetic resonance in tensity of the involved vertebral bodies was more homogeneous in verte bral osteomyelitis than in tuberculous spondylitis. Rim enhancement wi th Gadolinium-DTPA was less frequent in vertebral osteomyelitis. The d ifferentiation of the two conditions by MRI was helpful in establishin g the correct diagnosis of the infection.