J Pediatr Infect Dis 2018; 13(01): 025-031
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1604418
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Findings and Utility of Chest Computed Tomography in Pediatric Tuberculosis

Victor Moreno-Ballester
1   Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario Casa de Salud, Valencia, Spain
,
Fernando Aparici-Robles
2   Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
,
Luis Marti-Bonmati
3   Department of Radiology and GIBI230 Research Group, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
,
Amparo Escribano-Montaner
4   Department of Pediatrics, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
,
Eugenio Sanchez-Aparisi
5   Department of Radiology, Hospital Francesc de Borja, Gandia, Valencia, Spain
,
Carmen Otero-Reigada
6   Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
,
Fernando Gomez-Pajares
7   Department of Preventive Medicine, Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, Valencia, Spain
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

24 April 2017

19 June 2017

Publication Date:
27 July 2017 (online)

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.

 
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