Abstract
The objectives of this study are to describe the radiologic abnormalities detected
on chest computed tomography (CT) of children suffering from tuberculosis and identify
in which asymptomatic children, with positive tuberculin skin test and normal chest
radiography, CT has the highest diagnostic yield using a low radiation dose protocol.
The most common finding on CT in cases of tuberculosis is lymphadenopathy with necrotic
appearance. In asymptomatic children with positive tuberculin skin test and normal
chest radiography, CT had higher diagnostic yield in children younger than 5 years,
modifying the therapeutic approach in a high percentage of cases. Reduction kilovoltage
(kV) and milliamperage (mA) protocols significantly decrease the radiation dose, keeping
sufficient diagnostic quality.
Keywords
tuberculosis - computed tomography - radiation
