Chest Tuberculosis in Children

Indian J Pediatr. 2019 May;86(5):448-458. doi: 10.1007/s12098-018-02847-7. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Abstract

Chest is the commonest site of involvement by tuberculosis (TB) in children; lungs being the most frequently affected region, followed by nodes, pleura and chest wall. It is difficult to diagnose TB in children due to lack of overt symptoms and difficulty in obtaining samples for microbiological confirmation. Hence various imaging modalities play an important role in diagnostic algorithm as well as in follow-up after treatment. Standardization of chest radiograph reporting in context of clinically suspected TB is the need of the hour so as to suggest a proper diagnosis and avoid over-diagnosis. This article aims to discuss the imaging features of chest tuberculosis according to the site of involvement on various imaging modalities in the pediatric population.

Keywords: CT; Chest tuberculosis; Children; Imaging; MRI; Recommendations; Ultrasound.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine / methods*
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine / standards
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymphadenopathy / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymphadenopathy / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Parenchymal Tissue / diagnostic imaging
  • Parenchymal Tissue / pathology
  • Radiography / methods
  • Radiography / standards
  • Thoracic Wall / diagnostic imaging
  • Thoracic Wall / pathology
  • Thorax / diagnostic imaging*
  • Thorax / microbiology
  • Thorax / physiology
  • Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed
  • Tuberculosis, Pleural / diagnostic imaging
  • Tuberculosis, Pleural / pathology
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / pathology
  • Ultrasonography / methods
  • Ultrasonography / standards