Radiological imaging of urogenital tuberculosis in children with emphasis on ultrasound

Abstract

Radiological recognition of tuberculosis in children ist uncommon as the initial lesions are occult. The appearances of our last 12 cases of renal TB have been tabulated. When the condition becomes radiologically evident the bladder is usually involved and the lesions can be detected ultrasonically. Ultrasonography as a primary method of diagnosis is described.

Genitourinary tuberculosis in children - a diagnostic challenge

“…Therefore the imaging studies are very important and they should include a detailed and meticulous ultrasound and an intravenous urography for enhanced calyceal visualization. Characteristic US signs we have to look for are: echogenic calyces and mixed or echo-free areas in the site of the pyramids, which suggest cavitations (21,22). In the first two cases US revealed right nephromegalia with hyperechoic sinus and left nephromegalia with hypoechoic areas respectively.…”

Modern imaging of renal tuberculosis in children

“…Renal TB is uncommon in children, but needs to be considered especially in disseminated disease as specific interventions would be required 1–3 . There is usually a long latent period of 2–20 years between infection and clinical features of renal TB 2,9 …”

“…The initial lesion consists of deposition of bacilli in the walls of glomerular arterioles and is subclinical and not visible radiologically 2,9 . A majority of cases heal spontaneously.…”

“…A majority of cases heal spontaneously. In some instances, bacilli localize in the pyramids, where they form tuberculomas 2,9 . These then rupture into the calyces that become eroded 9 .…”

“…Renal tuberculosis (TB) is uncommon in children, but needs to be considered especially in disseminated disease as specific interventions would be required 1–3 . An increase in the incidence of renal TB can be anticipated with the spread of the AIDS 4 .…”