TUBERCULOUS SPONDYLODISCITIS - DIAGNOSIS AND VALUE OF MRI - BASED UPON ONE CERVICAL LOCALIZATION

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.