Radiographic findings of TB spondylodiscitis can be latent for how long?

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Radiographic findings of TB spondylodiscitis can be latent for how long?

In spinal TB, the disease progresses slowly, so radiographs don’t show changes right away. The period during which a plain X-ray can still look normal is about three weeks (roughly 21 days). After this time, damage to the anterior vertebral endplates and the adjacent disc space becomes radiographically evident, with vertebral collapse and destruction appearing as the infection advances. MRI can reveal these processes earlier, even before X-ray changes appear. If TB is suspected but the X-ray is normal, consider repeating imaging or using MRI around this 2–3 week window.

In spinal TB, the disease progresses slowly, so radiographs don’t show changes right away. The period during which a plain X-ray can still look normal is about three weeks (roughly 21 days). After this time, damage to the anterior vertebral endplates and the adjacent disc space becomes radiographically evident, with vertebral collapse and destruction appearing as the infection advances. MRI can reveal these processes earlier, even before X-ray changes appear. If TB is suspected but the X-ray is normal, consider repeating imaging or using MRI around this 2–3 week window.

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