Imaging Features and Recent Advances in Lymph Node Tuberculosis

Abstract

The burden of tuberculosis in our country persists, with diverse presentations affecting various organ systems, most commonly manifesting as pulmonary tuberculosis followed by nodal tuberculosis. While pulmonary involvement is frequently observed, nodal tuberculosis can present in isolation, commonly affecting cervical lymph nodes. Various imaging modalities play pivotal roles in diagnosis and assessment. Radiographs serve as initial screening modality in thoracic lymphadenopathy. Ultrasound is mostly used in cervical lymphadenopathy. Cases of thoracic and abdominal lymphadenopathy are usually evaluated with computed tomography but magnetic resonance imaging can be a radiation-free alternative. The role of fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography and newer modalities like shear-wave elastography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound are briefly discussed.