Fine-needle aspiration biopsy monitored with computed tomography was
used for the diagnosis of vertebral tuberculosis in thirty-eight patients;
the diagnosis was confirmed by culture or by a Ziehl-Neelsen stain of the
smear in thirty-four of the patients. Cytological examination revealed
collections of epithelioid cells, scattered multinucleated Langhans giant
cells, and necrosis. There were no complications related to the biopsy, and
an operative biopsy was avoided.