Computed tomography detection of clinically unsuspected skeletal tuberculosis

Objective: To report the frequency of clinically unsuspected axial skeletal tuberculosis (STB) and findings on computed tomography (CT). Materials and methods: An evaluation of CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis of patients with tuberculosis was done. Bone window images were evaluated for skeletal involvement. Results: Of the 726 CT studies, 34 (4.7%) patients had skeletal involvement. Thoracic spine was the most commonly affected site with involvement of body in 58% cases. Intervertebral disc involvement, soft tissue abscess, and epidural extension were identified in 83%, 53%, and 39% of cases, respectively. Conclusion: Evaluation of bone window on CT can detect axial STB. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.