Spinal tuberculosis with posterior element involvement.

Vertebral body tuberculosis with involvement of the posterior element was studied by computed tomography in six patients. They ranged in age from 4 to 70 years. The ratio of male to female was 1:1. The spinal segments involved were from T2 to S1. The posterior element involvement consisted of pedicle, transverse process, articular process, lamina, spinous process, and vertebral part of rib. Of these six patients, spastic paraparesis was found in three patients; paraparesis, monoparesis, and no neurologic deficit each in one. The cold abscess extended dorsally, reaching the surface in three patients. All surgical specimens were confirmed as tuberculous infection by histologic examination.