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==Overview==
==Overview==
The majority of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis will have abnormal findings in a chest [[CT]], which include micronodules, interlobular septal thickening, [[cavitation]] and consolidation. CT scan is more sensitive than an [[X-ray]] to detect [[lymphadenopathy|lymphadenopathies]].
Mostly patients with pulmonary tuberculosis will have abnormal findings in a chest [[CT]], which include micronodules, interlobular septal thickening, [[cavitation]] and consolidation. CT scans are more sensitive than an [[X-ray]] to detect [[lymphadenopathy|lymphadenopathies]].


==Computed Tomography==
==Computed Tomography==
===Pulmonary Tuberculosis===
===Pulmonary Tuberculosis===
*Chest CT abnormalities are seen in the majority of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.
*Chest CT abnormalities are seen in the majority of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.
*CT findings include:<ref>{{Cite journal
*CT findings include:<ref>{{Cite journal
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  | pmid = 25086249
  | pmid = 25086249
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
:* Micronodules
 
::*Most commonly located in the subpleural region and peribronchovascular interstitium.
:*Micronodules
::*Most commonly found in the subpleural region and peribronchovascular interstitium.
::*CT scan allows early and accurate detection of micronodules.
::*CT scan allows early and accurate detection of micronodules.
:* Interlobular septal thickening
:*Interlobular septal thickening
:* Cavitation is the most important finding in secondary tuberculosis
:*Cavitation is the most important finding in secondary tuberculosis
::*Appears as a lesion with thick walls and irregular margins.
::*Appears as a lesion with thick walls and irregular margins.
::*It may be observed in almost 50% of patients.
::*It may be observed in almost 50% of patients.
::*It is most commonly seen in the upper lung.
::*It is most commonly seen in the upper lung.
::*Cavities in the lower lung can be found in [[diabetes]] and [[HIV]] infection.<ref name="PatelRami2011">{{cite journal|last1=Patel|first1=AnandK|last2=Rami|first2=KiranC|last3=Ghanchi|first3=FerozD|title=Radiological presentation of patients of pulmonary tuberculosis with diabetes mellitus|journal=Lung India|volume=28|issue=1|year=2011|pages=70|issn=0970-2113|doi=10.4103/0970-2113.76308}}</ref><ref name="PadyanaBhat2012">{{cite journal|last1=Padyana|first1=Mahesha|last2=Bhat|first2=RaghavendraV|last3=Dinesha|first3=M|last4=Nawaz|first4=Alam|title=HIV-Tuberculosis: A Study of Chest X-Ray Patterns in Relation to CD4 Count|journal=North American Journal of Medical Sciences|volume=4|issue=5|year=2012|pages=221|issn=1947-2714|doi=10.4103/1947-2714.95904}}</ref>
::*Cavities in the lower lung can be found in [[diabetes]] and [[HIV]] infection.<ref name="PatelRami2011">{{cite journal|last1=Patel|first1=AnandK|last2=Rami|first2=KiranC|last3=Ghanchi|first3=FerozD|title=Radiological presentation of patients of pulmonary tuberculosis with diabetes mellitus|journal=Lung India|volume=28|issue=1|year=2011|pages=70|issn=0970-2113|doi=10.4103/0970-2113.76308}}</ref><ref name="PadyanaBhat2012">{{cite journal|last1=Padyana|first1=Mahesha|last2=Bhat|first2=RaghavendraV|last3=Dinesha|first3=M|last4=Nawaz|first4=Alam|title=HIV-Tuberculosis: A Study of Chest X-Ray Patterns in Relation to CD4 Count|journal=North American Journal of Medical Sciences|volume=4|issue=5|year=2012|pages=221|issn=1947-2714|doi=10.4103/1947-2714.95904}}</ref>
::*Although it is rare, cavities may be superinfected and an air-fluid level is seen inside the cavity.
::*Although it is rare, cavities may become superinfected and an air-fluid level is seen inside the cavity.
::*After the active infection is treated, small cavities with thin walls may remain as a residual finding.  
::*After the active infection is treated and resolved, small cavities with thin walls may remain as a residual finding.
:* Homogeneous and dense consolidation
:*Homogeneous and dense consolidation
*CT is more sensitive to detect hilar lymphadenopathy.  
 
*The "tree-in-bud" sign is a CT finding that may be seen in pulmonary tuberculosis and it is caused by mucus or pus impaction into the small airways that accentuates the branching course of peripheral airways.<ref name="Eisenhuber2002">{{cite journal|last1=Eisenhuber|first1=Edith|title=The Tree-in-Bud Sign1|journal=Radiology|volume=222|issue=3|year=2002|pages=771–772|issn=0033-8419|doi=10.1148/radiol.2223991980}}</ref>
*CT is more sensitive to detect hilar lymphadenopathy.
*The "tree-in-bud" sign is a CT finding that may be seen in [[pulmonary tuberculosis]] and it is caused by mucus or pus [[impaction]] into the small airways that accentuates the branching course of peripheral airways.<ref name="Eisenhuber2002">{{cite journal|last1=Eisenhuber|first1=Edith|title=The Tree-in-Bud Sign1|journal=Radiology|volume=222|issue=3|year=2002|pages=771–772|issn=0033-8419|doi=10.1148/radiol.2223991980}}</ref>
 
{|
{|
|[[File:Pulmonary Tuberculosis CT.jpg|thumb|280px|left|Pulmonary Tuberculosis <br>Image courtesy of Dr Natalie Yang, [http://www.Radiopaedia.org Radiopedia]. (original file [http://radiopaedia.org/cases/pulmonary-tuberculosis-6 here)] [http://radiopaedia.org/licence Creative Commons BY-SA-NC]]]
|[[File:Pulmonary Tuberculosis CT.jpg|thumb|280px|left|Pulmonary Tuberculosis <br>Image courtesy of Dr Natalie Yang, [http://www.Radiopaedia.org Radiopedia]. (original file [http://radiopaedia.org/cases/pulmonary-tuberculosis-6 here)] [http://radiopaedia.org/licence Creative Commons BY-SA-NC]]]
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===Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis===
===Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis===
====Cardiac Tuberculosis====
====Cardiac Tuberculosis====
*Pericardial thickening may be seen in a CT, specially if it is more than 3 mm.<ref name="BurrillWilliams2007">{{cite journal|last1=Burrill|first1=Joshua|last2=Williams|first2=Christopher J.|last3=Bain|first3=Gillian|last4=Conder|first4=Gabriel|last5=Hine|first5=Andrew L.|last6=Misra|first6=Rakesh R.|title=Tuberculosis: A Radiologic Review1|journal=RadioGraphics|volume=27|issue=5|year=2007|pages=1255–1273|issn=0271-5333|doi=10.1148/rg.275065176}}</ref>
 
*Lymph node enlargment is also a common CT finding in cardiac tuberculosis.<ref name="BurrillWilliams2007">{{cite journal|last1=Burrill|first1=Joshua|last2=Williams|first2=Christopher J.|last3=Bain|first3=Gillian|last4=Conder|first4=Gabriel|last5=Hine|first5=Andrew L.|last6=Misra|first6=Rakesh R.|title=Tuberculosis: A Radiologic Review1|journal=RadioGraphics|volume=27|issue=5|year=2007|pages=1255–1273|issn=0271-5333|doi=10.1148/rg.275065176}}</ref>
*Pericardial thickening may be seen on a CT scan, specially if it is more than 3 mm.<ref name="BurrillWilliams2007">{{cite journal|last1=Burrill|first1=Joshua|last2=Williams|first2=Christopher J.|last3=Bain|first3=Gillian|last4=Conder|first4=Gabriel|last5=Hine|first5=Andrew L.|last6=Misra|first6=Rakesh R.|title=Tuberculosis: A Radiologic Review1|journal=RadioGraphics|volume=27|issue=5|year=2007|pages=1255–1273|issn=0271-5333|doi=10.1148/rg.275065176}}</ref>
*Pericardial effusion is seen in less than 20% of patients.<ref name="BurrillWilliams2007">{{cite journal|last1=Burrill|first1=Joshua|last2=Williams|first2=Christopher J.|last3=Bain|first3=Gillian|last4=Conder|first4=Gabriel|last5=Hine|first5=Andrew L.|last6=Misra|first6=Rakesh R.|title=Tuberculosis: A Radiologic Review1|journal=RadioGraphics|volume=27|issue=5|year=2007|pages=1255–1273|issn=0271-5333|doi=10.1148/rg.275065176}}</ref>
*Lymph node enlargement is also a common CT finding in cardiac tuberculosis.<ref name="BurrillWilliams2007">{{cite journal|last1=Burrill|first1=Joshua|last2=Williams|first2=Christopher J.|last3=Bain|first3=Gillian|last4=Conder|first4=Gabriel|last5=Hine|first5=Andrew L.|last6=Misra|first6=Rakesh R.|title=Tuberculosis: A Radiologic Review1|journal=RadioGraphics|volume=27|issue=5|year=2007|pages=1255–1273|issn=0271-5333|doi=10.1148/rg.275065176}}</ref>
*Pericardial effusion is rare and is seen in less than 20% of patients.<ref name="BurrillWilliams2007">{{cite journal|last1=Burrill|first1=Joshua|last2=Williams|first2=Christopher J.|last3=Bain|first3=Gillian|last4=Conder|first4=Gabriel|last5=Hine|first5=Andrew L.|last6=Misra|first6=Rakesh R.|title=Tuberculosis: A Radiologic Review1|journal=RadioGraphics|volume=27|issue=5|year=2007|pages=1255–1273|issn=0271-5333|doi=10.1148/rg.275065176}}</ref>


====Miliary Tuberculosis====
====Miliary Tuberculosis====
CT findings include multiple pulmonary nodules with a diameter of 1-2mm, distributed in a random pattern, [[pleural effusion]] may also be present.
CT findings include multiple pulmonary nodules with a diameter of 1-2mm, distributed in a random pattern sometimes presenting with [[pleural effusion]] as well.
{|
{|
|[[Image:Miliary Tuberculosis CT.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Miliary Tuberculosis <br>Image courtesy of Dr Frank Gaillard, [http://www.Radiopaedia.org Radiopedia]. (original file [http://radiopaedia.org/cases/miliary-tuberculosis-ct here)] [http://radiopaedia.org/licence Creative Commons BY-SA-NC]]]
|[[Image:Miliary Tuberculosis CT.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Miliary Tuberculosis <br>Image courtesy of Dr Frank Gaillard, [http://www.Radiopaedia.org Radiopedia]. (original file [http://radiopaedia.org/cases/miliary-tuberculosis-ct here)] [http://radiopaedia.org/licence Creative Commons BY-SA-NC]]]
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===Tuberculous Meningitis===
===Tuberculous Meningitis===
* Head CT findings in [[tuberculous meningitis]] include meningeal enhancement consistent with meningeal inflammation and [[Choroid plexus|choroidal]] calcifications.<ref name="KomolafeSunmonu2008">{{cite journal|last1=Komolafe|first1=Morenikeji A|last2=Sunmonu|first2=Taofiki A|last3=Esan|first3=Olufunmi A|title=Tuberculous meningitis presenting with unusual clinical features in Nigerians: Two case reports|journal=Cases Journal|volume=1|issue=1|year=2008|pages=180|issn=1757-1626|doi=10.1186/1757-1626-1-180}}</ref>
 
* Areas of infarction and hemorrhage may also be seen in cases of miliary tuberculosis.
*Head CT findings in [[tuberculous meningitis]] include meningeal enhancement indicating meningeal [[inflammation]] and [[Choroid plexus|choroidal]] calcifications.<ref name="KomolafeSunmonu2008">{{cite journal|last1=Komolafe|first1=Morenikeji A|last2=Sunmonu|first2=Taofiki A|last3=Esan|first3=Olufunmi A|title=Tuberculous meningitis presenting with unusual clinical features in Nigerians: Two case reports|journal=Cases Journal|volume=1|issue=1|year=2008|pages=180|issn=1757-1626|doi=10.1186/1757-1626-1-180}}</ref>
* Patients with late complications may show hydrocephalus.
*Areas of [[infarction and hemorrhage]] may also be seen in cases of miliary tuberculosis.
*Patients with late complications may show hydrocephalus.


[[Image:Tuberculous meningitis.jpg|thumb|none|350px|Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.]]
[[Image:Tuberculous meningitis.jpg|thumb|none|350px|Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.]]
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====Abdominal Tuberculosis====
====Abdominal Tuberculosis====
* CT findings in a pancreatic and spleen infection with tuberculosis may mimic a [[pancreatic cancer]].<ref name="RongLou2008">{{cite journal|last1=Rong|first1=YF|last2=Lou|first2=WH|last3=Jin|first3=DY|title=Pancreatic tuberculosis with splenic tuberculosis mimicking advanced [[pancreatic cancer]] with [[splenic]] metastasizes: a case report|journal=Cases Journal|volume=1|issue=1|year=2008|pages=84|issn=1757-1626|doi=10.1186/1757-1626-1-84}}</ref>
 
* Shown below there is a CT scan of the [[pancreas]] demonstrating a mass in the pancreatic tail and metastasizes in the [[spleen]].
*CT findings in a pancreatic and spleen infection with tuberculosis may mimic a [[pancreatic cancer]].<ref name="RongLou2008">{{cite journal|last1=Rong|first1=YF|last2=Lou|first2=WH|last3=Jin|first3=DY|title=Pancreatic tuberculosis with splenic tuberculosis mimicking advanced [[pancreatic cancer]] with [[splenic]] metastasizes: a case report|journal=Cases Journal|volume=1|issue=1|year=2008|pages=84|issn=1757-1626|doi=10.1186/1757-1626-1-84}}</ref>
*Shown below there is a CT scan of the [[pancreas]] demonstrating a mass in the pancreatic tail and metastasizes in the [[spleen]].
 
{|
{|
|[[Image:Pancreas_and_spleen-tuberculosis.jpg|thumb|none|350px|Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.]]
|[[Image:Pancreas_and_spleen-tuberculosis.jpg|thumb|none|350px|Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.]]

Revision as of 07:26, 24 January 2021

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Alejandro Lemor, M.D. [2]

Overview

Mostly patients with pulmonary tuberculosis will have abnormal findings in a chest CT, which include micronodules, interlobular septal thickening, cavitation and consolidation. CT scans are more sensitive than an X-ray to detect lymphadenopathies.

Computed Tomography

Pulmonary Tuberculosis

  • Chest CT abnormalities are seen in the majority of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.
  • CT findings include:[1]
  • Micronodules
  • Most commonly found in the subpleural region and peribronchovascular interstitium.
  • CT scan allows early and accurate detection of micronodules.
  • Interlobular septal thickening
  • Cavitation is the most important finding in secondary tuberculosis
  • Appears as a lesion with thick walls and irregular margins.
  • It may be observed in almost 50% of patients.
  • It is most commonly seen in the upper lung.
  • Cavities in the lower lung can be found in diabetes and HIV infection.[2][3]
  • Although it is rare, cavities may become superinfected and an air-fluid level is seen inside the cavity.
  • After the active infection is treated and resolved, small cavities with thin walls may remain as a residual finding.
  • Homogeneous and dense consolidation
  • CT is more sensitive to detect hilar lymphadenopathy.
  • The "tree-in-bud" sign is a CT finding that may be seen in pulmonary tuberculosis and it is caused by mucus or pus impaction into the small airways that accentuates the branching course of peripheral airways.[4]
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Image courtesy of Dr Natalie Yang, Radiopedia. (original file here) Creative Commons BY-SA-NC
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Image courtesy of Dr Natalie Yang, Radiopedia. (original file here) Creative Commons BY-SA-NC
Chest CT showing a tuberculous cavity in the left lung.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis

Cardiac Tuberculosis

  • Pericardial thickening may be seen on a CT scan, specially if it is more than 3 mm.[5]
  • Lymph node enlargement is also a common CT finding in cardiac tuberculosis.[5]
  • Pericardial effusion is rare and is seen in less than 20% of patients.[5]

Miliary Tuberculosis

CT findings include multiple pulmonary nodules with a diameter of 1-2mm, distributed in a random pattern sometimes presenting with pleural effusion as well.

Miliary Tuberculosis
Image courtesy of Dr Frank Gaillard, Radiopedia. (original file here) Creative Commons BY-SA-NC
Miliary Tuberculosis
Image courtesy of Dr Frank Gaillard, Radiopedia. (original file here) Creative Commons BY-SA-NC

Tuberculous Meningitis

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.


Abdominal Tuberculosis

  • CT findings in a pancreatic and spleen infection with tuberculosis may mimic a pancreatic cancer.[7]
  • Shown below there is a CT scan of the pancreas demonstrating a mass in the pancreatic tail and metastasizes in the spleen.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

References

  1. Jeong Min Ko, Hyun Jin Park & Chi Hong Kim (2014). "Pulmonary Changes of Pleural Tuberculosis: Up-to-Date CT Imaging". Chest. doi:10.1378/chest.14-0196. PMID 25086249. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  2. Patel, AnandK; Rami, KiranC; Ghanchi, FerozD (2011). "Radiological presentation of patients of pulmonary tuberculosis with diabetes mellitus". Lung India. 28 (1): 70. doi:10.4103/0970-2113.76308. ISSN 0970-2113.
  3. Padyana, Mahesha; Bhat, RaghavendraV; Dinesha, M; Nawaz, Alam (2012). "HIV-Tuberculosis: A Study of Chest X-Ray Patterns in Relation to CD4 Count". North American Journal of Medical Sciences. 4 (5): 221. doi:10.4103/1947-2714.95904. ISSN 1947-2714.
  4. Eisenhuber, Edith (2002). "The Tree-in-Bud Sign1". Radiology. 222 (3): 771–772. doi:10.1148/radiol.2223991980. ISSN 0033-8419.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Burrill, Joshua; Williams, Christopher J.; Bain, Gillian; Conder, Gabriel; Hine, Andrew L.; Misra, Rakesh R. (2007). "Tuberculosis: A Radiologic Review1". RadioGraphics. 27 (5): 1255–1273. doi:10.1148/rg.275065176. ISSN 0271-5333.
  6. Komolafe, Morenikeji A; Sunmonu, Taofiki A; Esan, Olufunmi A (2008). "Tuberculous meningitis presenting with unusual clinical features in Nigerians: Two case reports". Cases Journal. 1 (1): 180. doi:10.1186/1757-1626-1-180. ISSN 1757-1626.
  7. Rong, YF; Lou, WH; Jin, DY (2008). "Pancreatic tuberculosis with splenic tuberculosis mimicking advanced pancreatic cancer with splenic metastasizes: a case report". Cases Journal. 1 (1): 84. doi:10.1186/1757-1626-1-84. ISSN 1757-1626.

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