Imaging of musculoskeletal and spinal tuberculosis

Diagnosis of osteoarticular musculoskeletal tuberculosis is difficult; earl y manifestations are subtle, and advanced disease mimics other infections s uch as granulomatous diseases and malignancy Diagnosis cannot be establishe d solely on the basis of clinical tests or imaging findings. The role of th e radiologist is to consider the disease when appropriate and guide the ima ging work-up to arrive at the earliest possible diagnosis. Awareness of the patient groups at greatest risk and the varied manifestations of musculosk eletal tuberculosis is critical for timely diagnosis and early intervention of this curable disease.