Role of Gene Xpert MTB/RIF assay for detecting tuberculous spondylitis in specimens obtained by CT-guided aspiration/biopsy and spectrum of imaging findings in spinal tuberculosis

•A definite diagnosis of tuberculous spondylitis was obtained in 50/70 cases.•The assay had a 100 % agreement for smear-positive, culture-positive, specimens while the overall agreement was 41.3 %.•Rifampicin resistance was detected in 8 cases (16 %).•Seventy-one percent of patients were on empiric ATT.•Spinal TB was associated with plate destruction, paravertebral abscess, disc involvement, sequestrum, and bony fragments.