[Role of computed tomography in extrapulmonary tuberculosis]

A retrospective evaluation of 65 computed tomographic investigations on 27 patients with proven disseminated extrapulmonary tuberculosis showed no CT changes characteristic for tuberculosis, except for a higher density of tubercular abscesses. In the majority of cases the extent of tubercular manifestations could only be exactly established after the CT investigation. With the aid of this information together with the clinical course of the disease, the timing, type and extent of operative measures could be determined. Finally, in comparison with conventional X-ray and sonography, computed tomography has proved to be superior for control of therapeutic procedures.