Ph. Roche et al., TUBERCULOUS SPONDYLODISCITIS - DIAGNOSIS AND VALUE OF MRI - BASED UPON ONE CERVICAL LOCALIZATION, Neuro-chirurgie, 39(4), 1993, pp. 248-253
The authors report a case of tuberculous spondylodiscitis with an intr
acanalar ant retropharyngeal involvement. This pathology is recently i
ncreasing like the immunodeficiency syndroms. Cervical tissue compress
ion and neurological signs are the main clinical findings. Among the r
adiological explorations of disco-vertebral infections, the value of M
RI study is now admitted. Using of T1 and T2 weighted sequences and Ga
dolinium injection provides the positive diagnosis, and well visualize
s the extent : low signal of vertebral body, decrease and low signal o
f discal space, prevertebral and retrovertebral enlargement with a low
signal intensity of the abscess in T1 weighted sequence and enhanceme
nt following Gd-DTPA administration ; high signal intensity of vertebr
al body, prevertebral and epidural masses and abscess in T2 weihgted s
equence. The authors describe the evolutive features of Pott's disease
and the value of MRI in the post-therapeutic course : T1-signal incre
ases while enhancement following Gd-DTPA administration decreases and
T2-signal decreases. The differential diagnosis with chordomas, metast
asis, and pyogenic spondylodiscitis is well assessed by MRI.