[Tuberculous lymphadenitis]

Tuberculous lymphadenitis is a common extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Its incidence is about 28%. Pulmonary hilar lymphadenitis and mediastinal lymphadenitis are often visible in the routine chest X-ray films during pulmonary tuberculosis. But abdominal lymphadenitis are difficult to detect on this method. Computed tomography is a useful tool to detect the tuberculous lymphadenitis both mediastinal and abdominal. The active tuberculous lymphadenitis shows characteristic findings with contrast enhanced CT, central low attenuation and peripheral rim enhancement were seen. On the contrary homogeneous without low attenuation area and with calcification were inactive tuberculosis. Bacterial diagnosis is difficult and PCR method is effective for detect the tuberculosis. Usual anti-tuberculous chemotherapy were performed for the tuberculous lymphadenitis and effective but on the fistula formation surgical procedure are also performed.