Evaluation of intestinal tuberculosis by multi-slice computed tomography enterography

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Multi-slice computed tomography enterography (MSCTE) is a valuable tool for diagnosing and monitoring intestinal diseases.
• Emerging evidence suggests MSCTE's potential utility in identifying intestinal tuberculosis (ITB).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of MSCTE in diagnosing intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) within a medical center.
• To identify characteristic MSCTE findings associated with ITB.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 15 patients diagnosed with ITB via MSCTE.
• Radiologists assessed ITB location, morphology, and associated abdominal changes.
• Diagnosis confirmation through pathology or clinical criteria.

Main Results:

• Abdominal pain was the most frequent symptom (80%).
• The ileocecum was the most commonly affected site (87%).
• Characteristic MSCTE findings included mural thickening (40%), solid masses (60%), and enlarged lymph nodes (87%) with central necrosis and rim enhancement (67%).

Conclusions:

• Characteristic MSCTE findings for ITB involve ileocecal solid masses or symmetric mural thickening and rim-enhanced lymph nodes.
• High suspicion combined with knowledge of these MSCTE features can facilitate early ITB diagnosis.