CT of abdominal tuberculosis

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.139.5.861· OSTI ID:6183985

Epstein, B M ^[1]; Mann, J H

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1. Univ. of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Intraabdominal tuberculosis (TB) presents with a wide variety of clinical and radiologic features. Besides the reported computed tomographic (CT) finding of high-density ascites in tuberculous peritonitis, this report describes additional CT features highly suggestive of abdominal tuberculosis in eight cases: (1) irregular soft-tissue densities in the omental area; (2) low-density masses surrounded by thick solid rims; (3) a disorganized appearance of soft-tissue densities, fluid, and bowel loops forming a poorly defined mass; (4) low-density lymph nodes with a multilocular appearance after intravenous contrast administration; and (5) possibly high-density ascites. The differential diagnosis of these features include lymphoma, various forms of peritonitis, peritoneal carcinomatosis, and peritoneal mesothelioma. It is important that the CT features of intraabdominal tuberculosis be recognized in order that laparotomy be avoided and less invasive procedures (e.g., laparoscopy, biopsy, or a trial of antituberculous therapy) be instituted.

• OSTI ID: 6183985
• Journal Information: AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States), Journal Name: AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States) Vol. 139:5; ISSN AAJRD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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550901 -- Pathology-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ABDOMEN
BACTERIAL DISEASES
BODY
BODY AREAS
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
LYMPH NODES
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
TOMOGRAPHY
TUBERCULOSIS