Imaging of Tuberculosis in Resource-Limited Settings

Abstract

Purpose of review: To describe the imaging findings of tuberculosis with different imaging modalities, as well as the current usage and importance of imaging tuberculosis in resource-limited settings. Recent findings: Primary pulmonary tuberculosis can manifest as lung parenchymal disease, lymphadenopathy, pleural effusion, and/or miliary disease. Differentiating features of post-primary tuberculosis include cavitation, bilateral tree-in-bud nodules, and an absence of lymphadenopathy. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis can involve nearly any organ system, including the heart, central nervous system, bones and abdominal organs. Many of these findings can be demonstrated with radiography and ultrasound in low-resource settings. Summary: Tuberculosis remains prevalent in resource-limited settings. It is important for clinicians working in these areas to be familiar with both clinical manifestations and imaging findings of tuberculosis to adequately combat the disease. In order for imaging to help aid with diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis, there needs to be an increasing focus on appropriate, low-cost imaging and imaging education.