Keywords:
Infection, Outcomes analysis, Conventional radiography, CT, Thorax, Emergency
Authors:
I. Casazza1, M. A. Guglietta2, A. Speranza3, V. David1, C. De Dominicis4; 1Roma/IT, 2Rome, Lazio/IT, 3Roma, RM/IT, 4Rome/IT
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2012/C-1609
Results
CXR and CT taken during ED visits often showed imaging features compatible with tuberculosis although nonspecific.
Imaging features upon the observed cases had the following findings: lobe/diffuse interstitial infiltrate (44%),
cavitary lesion (28%),
calcific lymphadenopathy (8%),
pleural effusion (19%),
mass or coin lesion - not cavitary (14%),
calcific fibrothorax (6%),
bronchial ectasia (16%),
tree-in-bud (17%),
ground-glass (8%),
parenchymal scar (25%) and normal pleuro-parenchymal pattern (27%).
Only one patient was admitted because of bone tuberculosis localization: CT taken in ED revealed an inhomogeneous mass involving a lumbar vertebral body and adjacent psoas muscle,
with a wide area of necrosis.