11 Tuberculosis (TB) Background TB is transmitted by the airborne route and active TB is highly infectious. It is caused by acid-fast bacilli. Signs of old TB can often be seen on radiographs as calcified densities at the lung apices, often in elderly patients, but active TB is a condition which needs to be addressed urgently. Fig. 11.1A This radiograph demonstrates an area of cavitating consolidation at the left apex. Appearance are typical of active TB. Pulmonary involvement is most common but it can also affect most organ systems (bones, urinary tract, GI tract). TB is commoner in immunosuppressed patients, particularly those with HIV. Clinical features Symptoms The main symptoms are cough, haemoptysis, fever, night sweats, anorexia and weight loss (active TB). There may be a history of immunosuppression. The patient’s ethnicity (Asian) may be an important clue to diagnosis. Active TB can be asymptomatic. Signs These include lymphadenopathy (cervical), signs of consolidation, cachexia, pyrexia and hypoxia. Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related posts: Permanent pacemakers Empyema Chronic pancreatitis Large bowel obstruction Brodie’s abscess Slipped upper femoral epiphysis Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join Tags: On-Call X-Rays Made Easy Aug 20, 2016 | Posted by admin in ULTRASONOGRAPHY | Comments Off on Tuberculosis (TB) Full access? Get Clinical Tree
11 Tuberculosis (TB) Background TB is transmitted by the airborne route and active TB is highly infectious. It is caused by acid-fast bacilli. Signs of old TB can often be seen on radiographs as calcified densities at the lung apices, often in elderly patients, but active TB is a condition which needs to be addressed urgently. Fig. 11.1A This radiograph demonstrates an area of cavitating consolidation at the left apex. Appearance are typical of active TB. Pulmonary involvement is most common but it can also affect most organ systems (bones, urinary tract, GI tract). TB is commoner in immunosuppressed patients, particularly those with HIV. Clinical features Symptoms The main symptoms are cough, haemoptysis, fever, night sweats, anorexia and weight loss (active TB). There may be a history of immunosuppression. The patient’s ethnicity (Asian) may be an important clue to diagnosis. Active TB can be asymptomatic. Signs These include lymphadenopathy (cervical), signs of consolidation, cachexia, pyrexia and hypoxia. Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related posts: Permanent pacemakers Empyema Chronic pancreatitis Large bowel obstruction Brodie’s abscess Slipped upper femoral epiphysis Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join Tags: On-Call X-Rays Made Easy Aug 20, 2016 | Posted by admin in ULTRASONOGRAPHY | Comments Off on Tuberculosis (TB) Full access? Get Clinical Tree
