Imaging in Musculoskeletal TB

Abstract Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, with musculoskeletal TB accounting for a notable proportion of cases. The spine is the most commonly affected site, followed by the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is essential to prevent joint destruction, deformity, and neurological complications. Given the paucibacillary nature of musculoskeletal TB, imaging plays a pivotal role in diagnosis, guiding sampling procedures, and assessing treatment response. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging has emerged as the preferred modality for diagnosing and monitoring both spinal and extraspinal TB. This review provides an in-depth analysis of imaging characteristics of musculoskeletal TB, highlighting key findings essential for early diagnosis and differentiation from similar pathologies. Through case-based illustrations, various anatomical locations of osteoarticular TB are discussed.