@article {Schininà:2018:1027-3719:779,
title = "Diagnostic imaging of hepatic tuberculosis: case series",
journal = "The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease",
parent_itemid = "infobike://iuatld/ijtld",
publishercode ="iuatld",
year = "2018",
volume = "22",
number = "7",
publication date ="2018-07-01T00:00:00",
pages = "779-787",
itemtype = "ARTICLE",
issn = "1027-3719",
eissn = "1815-7920",
url = "https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/iuatld/ijtld/2018/00000022/00000007/art00013",
doi = "doi:10.5588/ijtld.17.0710",
keyword = "tuberculoma, liver, MRI, diagnostic imaging, CT, HIV-TB, miliary, ultrasound",
author = "Schinin{\‘a}, V. and Albarello, F. and Cristofaro, M. and Di Stefano, F. and Fusco, N. and Cuzzi, G. and Arend, S. M. and Goletti, D. and Busi Rizzi, E.",
abstract = "BACKGROUND: Hepatic tuberculosis (TB) shows non-specific symptoms, and liver imaging may provide diagnostic clues. Here we describe a series of patients with hepatic TB showing characteristic radiological findings.METHODS: Single-centre retrospective evaluation of patients with
hepatic TB diagnosed over a period of 16 years who underwent ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Hepatic lesions were classified as miliary, nodular, serohepatic or cholangitis.RESULTS: Of 14 patients with hepatic TB, five were co-infected with
the human immunodeficiency virus. All patients had additional extrahepatic TB localisations. An interferon-gamma release assay was performed in 11/14 patients, ultrasound and CT were available for all patients and MRI for four. Observed patterns were miliary (n = 6) with multiple nodules
n = 5), characterised by a variable number of nodules (27 cm); and serohepatic (n = 3), with multiple nodular subcapsular lesions with a thin, smooth wall. Shared findings were hypoechoic lesions on ultrasound, hypodense lesions with ring enhancement
on CT, while MRI lesions were hypointense on T1- and hyperintense on T2-weighted images.CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound, CT and MRI can independently contribute to detection of hepatic TB. While a miliary pattern or calcifications are characteristic, no pattern is completely pathognomonic and
the diagnosis depends on microbiological evidence. Particularly in risk groups, characteristic radiological findings may prompt targeted diagnostic work-up.",
}