Learning objectives
To illustrate the CT and MRI imaging findings in pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis,
with emphasis to nodal,
genitourinary,
adrenal,
skeletal and nervous localizations.
Background
INTRODUCTION
Tuberculosis (TBC) is an airborne communicable disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis,
transmitted by patients with pulmonary TBC.
Infection occurs more commonly in adults (25-39 and 60-75 years old patients).
Population groups with increased risk: immunocompromised individuals (AIDS,
lymphoma,
leukemia),
diabetics patients,
children and the aged,
alcoholics,
the poor,
immigrants from third-world countries,
prisoners,
nursing home residents,
health care workers and the homeless.
Up until the mid 1980s,
there was a steady decline in the prevalence of tuberculosis.
Since that time,
however,
there has been...
Imaging findings OR Procedure details
PART I - PULMONARY TBC
PRIMARY PULMONARY TBC
It’s seen in patients not previously exposed to M.
tuberculosis and it’s most common in infants and children.
It has the highest prevalence in children under 5 years of age.
Although primary tuberculosis is the most common form of pulmonary TBC in infants and children,
it has been increasingly encountered in adult patients and now accounts for 23%–34% of all adult cases of tuberculosis.
Chest radiography(FIG.
1) remains the mainstay of diagnosis; however,
normal radiographic findings may...
Conclusion
The infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis had in the last years an evident recrudescence,
due to HIV epidemic,
to constant migrant population and to the spread of drug resistant strains (MDR).
The two main pathologic form include pulmonary and extra-pulmonary infection.
Both have a variety of clinical and radiologic features depending on the organ site involved,
also in the patients with decreased immunity.
The radiologist has an important role in the evaluation of the several manifestations and sites of infection,
keeping in mind thattuberculosis can mimic...
References
Burrill J,
Williams CJ ,
Bain G,Conder G,
Hine AL,
Misra RR. Tuberculosis: A Radiologic ReviewRadioGraphics2007 Sep-Oct;27(5):1255-73
Harisinghani MG,McLoud TC,Shepard JA,Ko JP,Shroff MM,Mueller PR.Tuberculosis from head to toeRadioGraphics2000 Mar-Apr;20(2):449-7
Lee JY,Lee KS,Jung KJ,Han J,Kwon OJ,Kim J,Kim TS.Pulmonary tuberculosis: CT and pathologic correlationJ Comput Assist Tomogr.2000 Sep-Oct;24(5):691-8