Differentiation of pyogenic spondylitis and tuberculous spondylitisby on magnetic resonance images

Objective:To assess magnetic resonance imaging features in differentiating pyogenic spondylitis(PS) from tuberculous spondylitis(TBS).Methods: Compared MRI findings of pyogenic spondylitis(20 patients) with tuberculous spondylitis(30 patients).Statistical analysis was performed with the chi-square test.Results: The incidence of the following MRI findings had a significant difference in patients with pyogenic spondylitis than in those with tuberculous spondylitis(P 0.05);thoracic spine involvement(14.3% in pyogenic vs 56.9% in tuberculous);lumbar involvement(68.6% vs 33.8%);destructive lesions of the vertebral body and vertebral collapse(0 vs 56.7%);abnormal paravertebral soft tissue(30% vs 70%);presence of paraspinal abscess(0 vs70%);subligamentous spread(20% vs 63.3%)and Hyperintense signal on T2-weighted images(35% vs70%).Conclusion: Magnetic resonance imaging are helpful for differentiation of pyogenic spondylitis from tuberculous spondylitis.