Legend
Left and middle: sagittal T2WI's show loss of the T5 and 6 vertebral heights and
intervertebral disc space, resulting in a focal spinal kyphosis. The bone marrow
is hyperintense. Soft tissue lesions surround the vertebrae with significant
epidural compression. The bone marrow of T-3, 4 &7 is also abnormal.
Right: sagittal T1WI with fat saturation and gadolinium shows enhancement of T5 & 6,
and to a lesser degree T3, 4 &7 vertebrae, with enhancing soft tissues surrounding
T5 and 6. Note the ligamentous enhancement anterior to the T3-7 vertebrae.
Two central nonenhancing regions anteriorly suggest liquefaction or necrosis.
Legend
Left: additional sagittal T1WI with gadolinium shows three distinctive isointense
areas with peripheral enhancement. Again seen are the vertebral and
surrounding soft tissue enhancement with compression of the thecal sac.
Right top and bottom: axial T1WI's with gadolinium and fat saturation show
destruction of the vertebrae and significant central canal stenosis. Note the
prevertebral soft tissue mass.
Key words: mri thoracic infection inflammation
Spine Diagnosis:
Diskitis / osteomyelitis - Tuberculosis