Tuberculosis from head to toe

Tuberculosis can affect virtually any organ system in the body and can be d evastating if left untreated. The increasing prevalence of tuberculosis in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals in recent years make s this disease a topic of universal concern. Because tuberculosis demonstra tes a variety of clinical and radiologic findings and has a known propensit y for dissemination from its primary site, it can mimic numerous other dise ase entities. Primary pulmonary tuberculosis typically manifests radiologic ally as parenchymal disease, lymphadenopathy, pleural effusion, miliary dis ease, or lobar or segmental atelectasis, In postprimary tuberculosis, the e arliest radiologic finding is the development of patchy, ill-defined segmen tal consolidation. Both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR ) imaging are helpful in diagnosing tuberculous spondylitis and tuberculous arthritis. CT is especially useful in depicting gastrointestinal and genit ourinary tuberculosis. In tuberculosis involving the central nervous system , CT and MR imaging findings vary depending on the stage of disease and the character of the lesion. A high degree of clinical suspicion and familiari ty with the various radiologic manifestations of tuberculosis allow early d iagnosis and timely initiation of appropriate therapy, thereby reducing pat ient morbidity.