Evaluation of a tuberculous abscess on the right side of the diaphragm with contrast-enhanced computed tomography: A case report

Mol Clin Oncol. 2016 Jul;5(1):210-212. doi: 10.3892/mco.2016.863. Epub 2016 Apr 20.

Abstract

We herein investigate the case of a patient with a tuberculous diaphragmatic abscess confirmed by pathology. The patient underwent plain computed tomography (CT) examination of the chest and contrast-enhanced abdominal CT examination. The abscess appeared as hypodense mass with thick and irregular wall, which was enhanced on the contrast-enhanced CT images. The shape of the mass resembled an irregular double convex lens. No enlarged lymph nodes were detected on the CT images. The presence of a tuberculous diaphragmatic abscess should be suspected in patients with a diaphragmatic hypodense mass with enhanced thick walls, even when there is absence of enlarged lymph nodes on the CT images.

Keywords: X-ray; computed tomography; diaphragmatic abscess; tuberculosis.