Spectrum of high-resolution sonographic features of urinary tuberculosis

To evaluate the high-resolution sonographic features of urinary tuberculosis.

During a period of about 3 years 6 months, there were 45 patients with sonographic features of urinary tuberculosis that was subsequently proved by urine culture or biopsy. The clinical symptoms, urinalysis findings, sonographic features, urine smear findings, and biopsy findings were recorded.

The most common symptoms were dysuria and frequency of micturition. Sonographic features included parenchymal masses, cavities, mucosal thickening of the collecting system and urinary bladder, stenosis of the collecting system, a contracted urinary bladder, vesicoureteric reflux, and calcifications. The proof of tuberculosis was by urinalysis, culture, and biopsy.

High-resolution sonography in appropriate clinical situations is useful in diagnosis of urinary tuberculosis. The various high-resolution sonographic findings in urinary tuberculosis are illustrated. The distinguishing features are visualization of involvement of multiple sites and multiple stages of disease in the same patient.