CT findings of tuberculous lymphadenitis in the abdominal cavity

ABSTRACT

Authors analyzed CT findings of 8 patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis and one case of tuberculous abscessdiagnosed surgically or clinically. The results were as follows; 1. Soft tissue density masses were noted in 8patients in paraaortic, mesenteric, peripancreatic, celiac, porta hepatis, and esophagogastric junction areas inorder of frequency, and these correspond to lylmph node groups of the same name. On contrast enhanced CT, rimenhancement with multilocular low dinsties indicating caseous necrosis were noted in 3 patients, ill defined lowdensities were seen in 3 patients, and no definite changes were noted in 2 patients. 2. Two or more lymph nodegroups were involved in 6 patients, and one lymph node group was involved in two patients. 3. A huge cystic masswith relatively irregular rim enhancement and small anount of solid component occupied nearly entire upper abdomenin 1 patient and this was confiremd as tuberculous abscess in peritoneum. 4. In 2 cases, bowel wall thickening wassuggested in cecum, ascending colon, and terminal ileum.