Abdominal tuberculosis in children: CT findings

Abstract

Tuberculous peritonitis is a rare manifestation of childhood tuberculosis. The computed tomographic (CT) scans of three patients with abdominal tuberculosis were reviewed to determine the range of abdominal involvement. This report describes the following CT features of abdominal tuberculosis: (1) diffuse lymphadenopathy involving mesenteric and retroperitoneal lymph nodes; (2) low-density lymph nodes with multilocular appearance following intravenous contrast; (3) high-density ascites; (4) mottled low-density masses in the omentum; (5) thickening of the bowel wall adjacent to the mesentery; and (6) hepatic pseudotumors. These CT features of abdominal tuberculosis, in the appropriate clinical setting, should help optimize the correct diagnosis and management of tuberculosis in children.