To evaluate the diagnostic value of MR imaging in cases of spinal tuberculosis twenty patients with advanc-ed spinal tuberculosis were examined by MR imaging at 2.0T (Spectro-20000, Goldstar Seoul). Eighteen of 20 patients underwent surgery and the diagnosis was confirmed bacteriologically or histologically. Various spin-echo pulse sequences were used in coronal and sagittal planes. Inflammatory tissue showed relatively low singal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. the bone destruction and disc-space involvement were well visualized in both coronal and sagittal planes in which inflammatory tissue was demarcated by a low signal intensity line representing dura and posterior longitudinal ligament. However small calcifications demonstrated on plain radiograph or CT could not be identified. We conclude that MR imaging is an invaluable tool for establishing the bony changes as well as delineating the extent of the soft tissue involvement in spinal tuberculosis.