Radiologic features of miliary tuberculosis in children and adults

We reviewed the radiologic features of 19 children and 26 adults with miliary tuberculosis. Children had a very high prevalence of associated lymph node enlargement compared to the adults (95% vs. 12%). Pulmonary consolidation was more common in children (42% vs. 12%). Pleural effusions were uncommon in both groups. The miliary pulmonary lesions cleared faster in children. Evidence of previous tuberculosis was seen in 31% of the adults but none of the children. Most of these differences in radiologic features between children and adults probably represent differences in pathogenesis for hematogenous spread in the two groups.