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Tuberculosis in infants and children
1Department of Radiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550.
Insights
Childhood tuberculosis incidence is rising, reversing a prior decline. This review details primary, endobronchial, and hematogenous tuberculosis in children, aiding prompt diagnosis through characteristic radiographic findings.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Annual incidence of tuberculosis (TB) shows an increasing trend after years of decline.
- Primary tuberculosis, prevalent in children, exhibits distinct radiographic findings compared to adult postprimary TB.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present common and uncommon radiographic manifestations of tuberculosis in infants and children.
- To emphasize the importance of recognizing characteristic childhood TB imaging findings for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of common and less common forms of pediatric tuberculosis.
- Focus on radiographic findings in primary pulmonary, endobronchial, and hematogenous tuberculosis.
- Inclusion of pleural, congenital, and spinal tuberculosis.
Main Results:
- Primary tuberculosis in children has unique radiographic presentations.
- Endobronchial, hematogenous, pleural, congenital, and spinal TB also occur in pediatric populations.
- Characteristic changes on chest radiographs are key to diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Recognizing specific radiographic patterns of childhood tuberculosis is crucial.
- Prompt diagnosis and earlier therapy can be achieved through accurate interpretation of chest radiographs.
- Increased vigilance for pediatric tuberculosis is warranted due to rising incidence.
Abstract:
During the past several years, the previously steady decline in the annual incidence of tuberculosis has reversed. Primary tuberculosis, the most common form in children, presents with radiographic findings that are quite different from the characteristic changes of postprimary tuberculosis commonly seen in adults. This article presents the common manifestations of primary pulmonary tuberculosis, endobronchial tuberculosis, and hematogenous tuberculosis that are seen in infants and children. The less common findings of pleural tuberculosis, congenital tuberculosis, and tuberculosis of the spine are also addressed. Recognition of the characteristic changes of childhood tuberculosis on chest radiographs may lead to more prompt diagnosis and earlier therapy for children with this disease.