Abstract:To improve the understanding of spinal tuberculosis, and to reduce the rate of misdiagnosis. A comprehensive analysis was conducted for the 52 misdiagnosed cases of spinal tuberculosis in the hospital from 2005 to 2011. All patients complained of local pain, tenderness and percussion pain. Among them, 38 cases (73.1%) came from rural areas; 9 cases (17.3%) had history of pulmonary tuberculosis; 5 cases (9.6%) had tuberculotic toxic symptoms, 28 cases (53.8%) complained of lower limb pain and numbness, 36 cases (69.2%) of limited spinal activity; 6 cases (11.5%) had kyphosis. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate rose in 45 cases (86.5% ); the positive signs of the X-ray film were presented in 34 cases (65.3%); positive signs of CT / MR examination were found in 49 cases (94.2%). The misdiagnostic rate was 20.2%. The clinical features of spinal tuberculosis should receive due attention. An emphasis on the importance of physical examination and the imaging performance will help reduce the misdiagnostic rate.