Tuberculosis in children
Section snippets
Introduction and pathogenesis
The pathologic form of pulmonary infection depends on the sensitivity of the infected host and is classified as primary or postprimary [4], [6].
Primary tuberculosis typically appears as air-space disease consolidation in the lower lobes, hilar and mediastinal lymphadenophty, pleural effusion and miliary disease.
Postprimary tuberculosis appears most commonly as nodular and linear areas of increased opacity or increased attenuation at the lung apex. Pleural effusion and miliary disease are less
Infection—the primary complex
The knowledge of how the installation of bacillus is established after the infecting contact is essential to the interpretation of radiological images. After the inhalation of one the infecting micro particle one more bacteria will flow through the respiratory tree and will set in one bronchiole or in one alveolus. There, the infecting bacillus will multiply and this proliferation unchains from the host a local inflammatory acute reaction, resulting in a parenquymatous nodule, called primary
Evolution and complications
In accordance with the virulence of the organism and the defenses of the host, tuberculosis can occur in the lungs and in extrapulmonary organs. A variety of sequelae and complications can occur in the pulmonary and extrapulmonary portions of the thorax in treated or untreated patients. These can be categorised as follows [5]:
- 1.
Parenchymal lesions: Tuberculoma, thin-walled cavity, cicatrization, lung destruction, aspergilloma and bronchogenic carcinoma.
- 2.
Airways lesions: Bronchiectasis,
Conclusion
Several of thoracic sequels and complication may result from TB and may involve the lungs, airways, vessels, mediastinum, pleura, chest wall, or any combination of these structures. Knowledge of the spectrum of radiological features of the sequels and complication of TB in pulmonary and extrapulmonary portions of the thorax is important to facilitate diagnosis.
References (7)
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Modern imaging of tuberculosis in children: thoracic, central nervous system and abdominal tuberculosis
Pediatr Radiol
(2004) Pulmonary tuberculosis: the essentials
Radiology
(1999)- Cremin BJ, Jamieson DH. Imaging of pulmonary tuberculosis. In: Cremin BJ, Jamieson DH, editors. Childhood tuberculosis:...