Learning objectives
To illustrate various atypical or life-threatening radiologic manifestations of tuberculosis from head to leg.
Background
Tuberculosis can affect any organ in the whole body and can life-threatened.
Because tuberculosis presents as variety of clinical and radiologic findings,
it can mimic numerous other disease entities in endemic countries including developing country.
We illustrate various cases of tuberculosis in various organs.
A familiarity and cilinical suspicion with the various radiologic findings of tuberculosis allow early diagnosis and prevent devastating condition if left untreated.
Imaging findings OR Procedure details
I. Tuberculous abscess at anterior mediastinum mimicking invasive thymoma
Mediastinal tuberculous abscess may arise from caseous necrosis of mediastinal lymph nodes,
or direct extension from the lung (Fig.
1).
Tuberculous pericarditis may arise from direct extension from the mediastinum because of the close anatomic relationship between the lymph nodes and the posterior pericardial sac or lung,
or by haematogenous seeding (Fig.
2).
It complicates up to 1% of cases of tuberculosis.
At CT,
lymphadenopathy and pericardial thickening with or without effusion may be seen (Fig....
Conclusion
Tuberculosis can affect any organ system in the body and can be devastating if left untreated.
The unusual finding of thoracic and extrathoracic tuberculosis can mimic numerous other disease entities.
A high degree of clinical suspicion and familiarity with the various radiologic manifestations of tuberculosis might be helpful for the exact diagnosis and appropriate therapy.
References
Reference
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