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Updated: Jan 25, 2026
The MODS method for diagnosis of tuberculosis and multidrug resistant tuberculosis
Published on: August 11, 2008
Radiological aspects in computed tomography as determinants in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in
Teresa Cristina Sarmet Dos Santos1,2, Sérgio Setúbal1, Alair Augusto Sarmet Moreira Damas Dos Santos1
1Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF) - Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro (HUAP), Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
Insights
Computed tomography (CT) effectively diagnoses pulmonary tuberculosis in young children, revealing lymph node enlargement and consolidations often missed by X-rays. Early CT diagnosis aids prompt treatment, preventing complications in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in young children presents challenges.
- Conventional chest X-rays may not provide definitive findings in infants.
- Computed tomography (CT) offers detailed imaging for complex cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize chest CT findings in immunocompetent children under 36 months with pulmonary TB.
- To evaluate the utility of CT in diagnosing early-stage pulmonary TB in infants.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive case series of 20 children under 36 months with suspected pulmonary TB.
- Chest CT scans were performed after non-definitive chest X-rays.
- Data analysis focused on identifying specific CT imaging features.
Main Results:
- All patients exhibited lymph node enlargement and consolidations.
- Consolidations were associated with atelectasis in 75% of cases.
- Pulmonary cavitation was observed in 50% of patients, with 35% showing cavitation within consolidations, findings often absent on X-ray.
Conclusions:
- Chest CT findings in pediatric pulmonary TB differ from adult presentations.
- CT is a valuable tool for early diagnosis of pulmonary TB in immunocompetent infants.
- Timely CT-based diagnosis facilitates prompt treatment, crucial for preventing disease progression and complications.
Objective:
To describe the chest computed tomography (CT) findings in immunocompetent children under 36 months of age with pulmonary tuberculosis.
Materials And Methods:
This was a descriptive case series conducted in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between January 2004 and July 2013, involving 20 young children who underwent CT after undergoing chest X-rays that did not provide a definitive diagnosis.
Results:
All of the participants had lymph node enlargement and consolidations. In 15 cases (75%), the consolidations were accompanied by atelectasis. Pulmonary cavitation was seen in 10 cases (50%), and cavitation within consolidations was seen in 7 (35%). The areas of cavitation and parenchymal destruction were not seen on conventional chest X-rays.
Conclusion:
The radiological presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis in young children differs from that described in older children and adults. CT is an effective method for the early diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in immunocompetent infants, allowing the rapid institution of specific treatment, which is crucial for halting disease progression, as well as for preventing local and systemic complications.
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