Tuberculous osteitis of the posterior vertebral arch: case report

The authors report an unusual case of spinal tuberculosis involving the pos terior arch of T12 without disk lesion in a 20-year-old woman presenting wi th posterior compression of the spinal cord. The diagnosis was suggested at CT and MR imaging and confirmed by histological study after surgical resec tion. CT provides good evaluation of the bony lesion and may suggest intras pinal extension. MRI is superior for evaluation of cord compression. The pa tient improved after surgical and medical treatement. The imaging features of this entity are reviewed.