MR-IMAGING AND CT OF CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM TUBERCULOSIS IN THE PATIENT WITH AIDS

Central nervous system tuberculosis (TB) has been increasing in incide nce in recent years, a phenomenon that is related to the AIDS epidemic . The epidemiologic relationship between TB and AIDS is reviewed, and the role of imaging in diagnosis of these patients is discussed. In ge neral, imaging findings of TB in the AIDS patient are similar to those of central nervous system TB in the nonimmunosuppressed population; h owever, the differential diagnosis must include other infections and n eoplastic diseases complicating AIDS. Guidelines are suggested for pat ient management based on the different imaging patterns of TB in the A IDS patient.