Spinal tuberculosis in Qatar

الملخص EN

-The files were reviewed retrospectively of all patients diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis in Qatar, Arabian Gulf, during 1992-1997.

Qatar has a large single male inuni-grant labor force, mainly young Asians, and these consti-tuted more titan half of the 35 patients treated.

Pain was the most common complaint at presentation.

Computer-ised tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging < MRI) were utilised to identify the lesions and these two methods, singly or in conjunction, gave better results than ordinary X-Ray.

Tine needle aspiration was used for bac- / etiological confirmation.

It is concluded that CT, MRI andfine needle aspiration enable successful medical treat-ment under supervision and result in an excellent cure rate.