Tuberculosis of the Male Genitourinary Tract

Abstract

Background Information In the past decade, there has been a significant rise in the prevalence of tuberculosis as well as an increase in the extrapulmonary manifestations worldwide. Genitourinary tuberculosis is the most common manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Diagnosis is often difficult and delayed because tuberculosis has a variety of clinical and radiological presentations, and it can mimic numerous other disease entities. A high level of suspicion is required and positive results on culture or histologic examination of biopsy or surgical specimens is still required in many patients for definite diagnosis. Educational Goals • To review the ultrasonographic features of tuberculosis affecting the kidney, adrenal gland, and male genital tracts. • To know the routes of Tuberculous spread. Imaging Findings Tuberculous infection occur all genitourinary organs, kidney, adrenal gland, ureter, urinary bladder, prostate, epididymis and testes. We reviewed pathophysiology of Tuberculous infection affecting male genitourinary tracts. We also reviewed the characteristic ultrasonographic and CT findings of Tuberculous infection. We compared other differential diagnostic diseases (inflammatory bowel diseases, peritoneal diseases) to these ultrasonographic and CT manifestations. Conclusion Tuberculous infection can mimic numerous other disease entities. Although a positive culture of histologic analysis of biopsy specimens is still required in many patients to yield the definite diagnosis, recognition and understanding of the spectrum of imaging features of extrapulmonary tuberculosis can aid in diagnosis.