Learning objectives
The aim of this review is to illustrate radiographic findings in childhood pulmonary tuberculosis,
to point out the importance of combining symptoms,
signs,
history of TBC contact,
tuberculin skin test,
blood test,
bacteriological and chest radiographic findings in making the diagnosis and to illustrate changes of radiographic picture during antituberculous therapy.
Background
In most cases,
a child is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis after an adolescent or adult in their close environment (usually the household) with active tuberculosis expels bacilli into the shared air.
As the distribution of inhaled droplet nuclei is determined by the ventilatory pattern and volumes of the various lung lobes,
the site of implantation preferentially occurs in the middle and lower lung zones,
although any lobe may be affected.
Development of specific immunity is usually adequate to limit further multiplication of the bacilli,
the...
Imaging findings OR Procedure details
Approximately 60 children have been treated from tuberculosis in our general hospital during year 2010.
and 2011.
We reviewed chest x-rays of 5 children and a chest CT scan of one of those children.
Frontal and lateral chest radiographs were performed as well as contrast enhanced chest CT scan using dual- slice CT scanner.
Diagnosis of TB had been established by clinical and radiological findings,
contact with a relative with proved TB infection,
positive PPD test,
positive Quantiferon test,
positive culture for acid-fast bacilli and...
Conclusion
Radiographic findings are just one step in making the diagnose of tuberculosis in children.
Radiographic lesion does not confirm the etiology of TB,
as there are no pathognomonic radiological signs of tuberculosis.
A normal chest X- ray does not rule out the disease and on the other hand chest X-ray abnormalities can show the severity of the disease.
Diagnosis cannot rely on a single factor but on a constellation of symptoms,
signs,
and close contact with an infectious index patient,
tuberculin skin test,
blood test,...
References
Ann M.
Loeffler,
Pediatric Tuberculosis,
Seminars in Respiratory Infections,
Vol 18,
No 4 ( December),
2003: pp.
272 – 291
World Health Organization.
Guidance for national tuberculosis programs on the management of tuberculosis in children WHO/HTM/TB/2006.371.
Geneva,
Switzerland: WHO,
2006.
Robert Gie,
Diagnostic atlas of intrathoracic tuberculosis in children,
A Guide For Low Income countries,
2003.,
International Union Against Tuberculosis And Lung Disease,
68 Boulevard Saint – Michel 75006,
Paris,
France
A.
Khatami MD,
S.
Sabouri MD,
J.
Ghoroubi MD,
N.
Rassouli MD,
F.
Abdollah...
Personal Information
Ivana Grsko,
Radiology resident at Department of Radiology,
General hospital " Dr.
Josip Benčević",
Slavonski Brod,
Croatia
email:
[email protected]