Fig. 2

a Sagittal and coronal MRI images showing a 31-year-old male with mild spinal tuberculosis at the T8 ~ T11 levels. Tuberculosis accumulated in the vertebral body and intervertebral space with a smaller paravertebral abscess; no distinct kyphosis was observed. b Sagittal and axial CT scan showing tuberculosis of the thoracic vertebra. An abscess was treated with CT puncture, followed by two months of drainage.c At one year follow-up, sagittal and coronal MRI showed significant bone destruction and intervertebral space reduction, but the tuberculosis abscess has disappeared. d Four years after combined treatment with CT guided puncture, catheter drainage and 18 months of standard chemotherapy, sagittal CT and MRI showed a solid fusion at the T8/T9, T10/11 levels and destruction of the thoracic vertebrae. The paravertebral abscesses had disappeared at the T8 ~ T11 levels, with no significant progression of local kyphosis.