Multi-level tuberculosis of the spine identified by 18 F-FDG-PET/CT and concomitant urogenital tuberculosis: a case report from the spinal TB X cohort

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and typically infects the lungs. However, extrapulmonary forms of TB can be found in approximately 20% of cases. It is suggested, that up to 10% of extrapulmonary TB affects the musculoskeletal system, in which spinal elements (spinal tuberculosis, STB) are involved in approximately 50% of the cases. STB is a debilitating disease with nonspecific symptoms and diagnosis is often delayed for months to years. In our Spinal TB X Cohort, we aim to describe the clinical phenotype of STB using whole-body 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET/CT) and to identify a specific gene expression profile for the different stages of dissemination on PET/CT. Here we report on the first patient recruited into our cohort who underwent PET/CT before treatment initiation, at 6-months and at 12-months - time of TB treatment completion.

Case presentation: A 27-year-old immunocompetent male presented with severe thoracolumbar back pain for 9 months with severe antalgic gait and night sweats. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the whole spine revealed multilevel spinal disease (T5/6, T11/12, L3/4) in keeping with STB. After informed consent and recruitment into the Spinal TB X Cohort, the patient underwent PET/CT as per protocol, which revealed isolated multilevel STB (T4-7, T11/12, L3/4) with no concomitant lung or urogenital lesion. However, sputum and urine were Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra positive and Mtb was cultured from the urine sample. CT-guided biopsy of the T11/12 lesion confirmed drug-sensitive Mtb on Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra and the patient was started on TB treatment according to local guidelines for 12 months. The 6-month follow-up PET/CT revealed new and existing spinal lesions with increased FDG-uptake despite significant improvement of clinical features and laboratory markers. After 9 months of treatment, the patient developed an acute urethral stricture, most likely due to urogenital TB, and a suprapubic catheter was inserted. The 12-month PET/CT showed significantly decreased PET/CT values of all lesions, however, significant persistent spinal inflammation was present at the end of TB treatment. Clinically, the patient was considered cured by the TB control program and currently awaits urethroplasty.

Conclusions: In our case, PET/CT emerged as a valuable imaging modality for the initial assessment, surpassing MRI by revealing more comprehensive extensive disease. Subsequent PET/CT scans at 6-month uncovered new lesions and increased inflammation in existing ones, while by the end of TB treatment, all lesions exhibited improvement. However, the interpretation of FDG avidity remains ambiguous, whether it correlates with active infection and viable Mtb. or fibro- and osteoblast activity indicative of the healing process. Additionally, the absence of extraspinal TB lesions on PET/CT despite positive microbiology from sputum and urine maybe explained by paucibacillary, subclinical infection of extraspinal organs. The Spinal TB X Cohort endeavours to shed light on whole-body imaging patterns at diagnosis, their evolution midway through TB treatment, and upon treatment completion. Ultimately, this study aims to advance our understanding of the biology of this complex disease.

Keywords: 18F-FDG-PET/CT; Infection; PET/CT; Pott’s disease; Spine; Spondylodiscitis; TB; Tuberculous spondylodiscitis.

Fig. 1

A: T2-weighted sagittal MRI of the upper vertebral column showing T5/6 endplate destruction with mild kyphotic deformity. Intervertebral disc space integrity lost, but low signal disc still visualized. Heterogenous T2 signal soft tissue effacing the anterior CSF space and impressing the anterior cord. B: T2-weighted sagittal MRI of the lower vertebral column showing T11/12 endplate destruction with moderate kyphotic deformity. Intervertebral disc space integrity lost, but low signal disc still relatively maintained. Heterogenous T2 signal soft tissue minimally effacing the anterior CSF space and without cord compromise. L3/4: Endplate destruction with moderate kyphotic deformity. Intervertebral disc space integrity lost, but low signal disc still relatively maintained. Heterogenous T2 signal soft tissue minimally effacing the anterior CSF space without cauda equina compromise

Fig. 2

PET/CT before treatment initiation A: Whole-body 18-FDG-PET/CT sagittal view. B: Whole-body 18-FDG-PET/CT coronal view thoracic spine. C: Whole-body 18-FDG-PET/CT coronal view thoracolumbar spine

Fig. 3

A: Upper thoracic lesion on MRI and 18-FDG-PET/CT on sagittal plane. B: Thoracolumbar lesions on MRI and 18-FDG-PET/CT on sagittal plane

Fig. 4

A: T5/6 lesion on MRI and 18-FDG-PET/CT on axial plane. B: T11/12 lesion on MRI and 18-FDG-PET/CT on axial plane. C: L3/4 lesion on MRI and 18-FDG-PET/CT on axial plane

Fig. 5

CT scan of the chest (lung-window) at different levels from cranial to caudal. Left side: axial view. Right side: saggital view with corresponding marking of level (red line)

Fig. 6

Comparison of initial, 6-months and 12-months follow-up spinal PET/CT (bone window) A: Sagittal view of initial PET/CT. B: Sagittal view of 6-months follow-up; white arrow: new L5 lesion. C: Sagittal view of 6-months follow-up; blue arrow: new Th10 lesion. D: Sagittal view of 12-months follow-up

Fig. 7

Bar chart of PET/CT values over time stratified by spinal lesions and lung A: Total lesion glycolysis over time. B: SUVmax over time (no lung value)