ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND FINDINGS OF DISSEMINATED TUBERCULOSIS IN AIDS

The sonographic findings of 76 patients with tuberculosis and HIV infe ction are described. These findings were compared with a control group of 76 HIV-positive patients without associated pathology. Those patie nts with tuberculosis and positive HIV titers commonly (p = 0.05) show ed retroperitoneal and mesenteric adenopathies with node diameters gre ater than 1.5 cm (n = 27), and multiple, splenic, hypoechoic nodules b etween 0.5 cm and 1 cm (n = 11). Additional findings include hepatic h yper-echoic nodules (n = 1) and retroperitoneal abscess (n = 1). The c ombination of ultrasound features can help in the diagnosis of abdomin al tuberculosis in HIV-positive patients with non-specific clinical in fections. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.