Evaluation of Role of CT Scan and MRI In Diagnosis of Tuberculosis of Brain and Spine

Abstract

AIM: Role of CT scan and MRI in diagnosis of tuberculosis of brain and spine. BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis of the brain and spine is a very severe disease and causes increased rate of mortality and morbidity. Its diagnosis is a challenge for physicians worldwide. Patients of different age groups and having varied socio-economic status suffer from neurotuberculosis which need to be evaluated successfully to help the physician with further management of the condition. METHOD: Patients referred to the radiology department with any kind of neurological symptoms, coincidental finding of neurotuberculosis or even those with already diagnosed cases of neurotuberculosis which needed follow up radiological investigations were evaluated with either CT or MRI or sometimes both(These were performed on 1.5 T Philips MRI and Seimens 16 Slice MDCT machine). CONCLUSION: There is a wide spectrum of manifestations associated with intracranial and spinal tuberculosis. Tuberculous meningitis and Pott's spine were the commonest manifestations of intracranial and spinal tuberculosis respectively. MRI was more sensitive in the diagnosis of intracranial tuberculosis as compared to CT. CT had no significant role in the diagnosis of Spinal tuberculosis. Hence, MRI is the preferred choice of investigation while evaluating neurotuberculosis.