Thoracic sequelae and complications of tuberculosis

Pulmonary tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis when droplet nuclei laden with bacilli are inhaled. In accordance with the virulence of the organism and the defenses of the host, tuberculosis can occur in the l ungs and in extrapulmonary organs. A variety of sequelae and complications can occur in the pulmonary and extrapulmonary portions of the thorax in tre ated or untreated patients. These can be categorized as follows: (a) parenc hymal lesions, which include tuberculoma, thin-walled cavity, cicatrization , end-stage lung destruction as, pergilloma, and bronchogenic carcinoma; (b ) airway lesions, which include bronchiectasis, tracheobronchial stenosis, and broncholithiasis; (c) vascular lesions, which include pulmonary or bron chial arteritis and thrombosis, bronchial artery dilatation, and Rasmussen aneurysm; (d) mediastinal lesions, which include lymph node calcification a nd extranodal extension, esophagomediastinal or esophagobronchial fistula, constrictive pericarditis, and fibrosing mediastinitis; (e) pleural lesions , which include chronic empyema, fibrothorax, bronchopleural fistula, and p neumothorax; and (f) chest wall lesions, which include rib tuberculosis, tu berculous spondylitis, and malignancy associated with chronic empyema. Thes e varieties of radiologic manifestations can mimic other disease entities. Therefore, recognition and understanding of the radiologic manifestations o f the thoracic sequelae and complications of tuberculosis are important to facilitate diagnosis.