Related Experiment Videos
Intrathoracic lymphadenopathy in postprimary tuberculosis.
J H Woodring1, H M Vandiviere, C Lee
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Albert B. Chandler Medical Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40536-0084.
Southern Medical Journal
|August 1, 1988
Summary
Hilar or mediastinal lymphadenopathy is not exclusive to primary tuberculosis. This finding challenges the long-held belief that its presence excludes reactivation tuberculosis in adults.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- Hilar or mediastinal lymphadenopathy was historically considered indicative of primary Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.
- Its presence was often used to exclude diagnoses of reactivation or postprimary tuberculosis.
Observation:
- A study examined 56 adult patients diagnosed with postprimary tuberculosis.
- Hilar or mediastinal lymphadenopathy was identified in 5% of these patients.
Findings:
- Intrathoracic lymphadenopathy, while more frequent in primary tuberculosis, is not a definitive diagnostic criterion for it in adults.
- The study suggests that the presence of hilar or mediastinal lymphadenopathy does not rule out postprimary tuberculosis.
Implications:
- Roentgenographic findings of intrathoracic lymphadenopathy should not be solely relied upon to diagnose primary tuberculosis in adults.
- Clinical and research criteria for tuberculosis diagnosis may need re-evaluation to include lymphadenopathy in postprimary cases.