Tuberculosis of the chest wall: CT findings

To assess the CT features of tuberculosis of the chest wall, the CT findings in four patients with documented tuberculous chest wall infection were reviewed. Two patients were Caucasian and two were of Chinese origin. All had normal immune status. In two cases tuberculosis involved the ribs, in one the costal cartilage, and in one the sternoclavicular joint. Computed tomography demonstrated osseous and cartilaginous destruction (in four), soft tissue masses with calcification (in two), and rim enhancement following intravenous contrast medium administration (in two). Underlying pleuroparenchymal tuberculosis was present in two cases. Tuberculosis of the chest wall is characterized by bone or costal cartilage destruction and soft tissue masses that may demonstrate calcification or rim enhancement with or without evidence of underlying lung or pleural disease.