[Tuberculosis and radiologic diagnosis 100 years after W. C. Roentgen]

The discovery of the x-rays by W. C. Roentgen 100 years ago significantly improved the diagnosis and follow-up of tuberculosis, therapy control became possible, and the basis for prevention was set by early detection. Within few years, the "Roentgen" rays had been made a triumphant progress around the world, and Roentgenology was established as an independent medical discipline. Even after a century of developments like tomography, ultrasound, conventional/-high resolution and spiral computed tomography, digital radiography, digital subtraction angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging, innovations in the field of medical imaging appear to be unlimited, an evolution, which had been initiated by Roentgen. Today, therapists and radiologists are again challenged by the renaissance of tuberculosis, partially in new "clothes" by increasing numbers of HIV-patients. These specific changes clinically and radiological often appear atypical, and require subtile radiological diagnostics with the use of new imaging modalities. CT and MRI allow for follow-up of chemotherapy in mediastinal lymph node disease, significantly improve pleural diagnosis, and both are methods of choice in vertebral and cerebral tuberculous disease. Digital radiography and digital net-work allow for x-rays at the lowest dose, improved comparison in the follow-up, as well as for "online"-evaluation of images on the department's screen. Today, optimal diagnosis of tuberculosis includes the bacteriologic and clinical diagnosis and radiological imaging. To face the challenge of recurrent tuberculosis in in the second century after after Roentgen successfully, an intensive interdisciplinary cooperation of therapists and radiologists is necessary.