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Imaging Techniques for Tuberculosis

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Imaging of Tuberculosis

Part of the book series: Medical Radiology ((Med Radiol Diagn Imaging))

Abstract

Imaging has an important complementary role in the diagnosis of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis, particularly in patients with non-specific symptoms. It helps to detect lesions and confirm the diagnosis, evaluate the extent of disease and its complications, monitor its progress and response to treatment, as well as demonstrate residual or recurring disease after completion of therapy. Radiographs are an excellent screening tool and typically the initial radiological investigation, particularly for pulmonary and musculoskeletal tuberculosis. Computed tomography is utilized to further evaluate pulmonary, abdominal, urinary tract, and head and neck tuberculosis. Magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice for assessing tuberculosis in the brain, spine, and musculoskeletal system. Imaging modalities such as contrast fluoroscopy studies, ultrasound imaging, and nuclear medicine imaging, particularly positron-emission tomography, may also be of benefit in the management of selected patients suspected to have tuberculosis. Imaging techniques, such as ultrasound and computed tomography, are also used to guide diagnostic and therapeutic aspirations and drainages, as well as biopsies for histopathological confirmation of tuberculosis. As each of these modalities have their own advantages, disadvantages, and limitations, the modality of choice therefore varies, depending on the clinical indications, and should be tailored to each individual patient.

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Abbreviations

CT:

Computed tomography

IVU:

Intravenous urography

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

PET:

Positron-emission tomography

TB :

Tuberculosis

US:

Ultrasound

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, 90 Yishun Central, Singapore, Republic of Singapore

    Tiffanie S. F. Teo, Anbalagan Kannivelu, Sivasubramanian Srinivasan & Wilfred C. G. Peh

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  1. Tiffanie S. F. Teo
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  2. Anbalagan Kannivelu
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  3. Sivasubramanian Srinivasan
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  4. Wilfred C. G. Peh
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Correspondence to Tiffanie S. F. Teo .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Mohamed Kassab Orthopedic Institute, Tunis, Tunisia

    Mohamed Fethi Ladeb

  2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Singapore

    Wilfred C. G. Peh

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Teo, T.S.F., Kannivelu, A., Srinivasan, S., Peh, W.C.G. (2022). Imaging Techniques for Tuberculosis. In: Ladeb, M.F., Peh, W.C.G. (eds) Imaging of Tuberculosis. Medical Radiology(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07040-2_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07040-2_4

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