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CT features of lymphobronchial tuberculosis in children, including complications and associated abnormalities

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Abstract

Background

Lymphobronchial tuberculosis (TB) is tuberculous lymphadenopathy involving the airways, which is particularly common in children.

Objective

To describe CT findings of lymphobronchial TB in children, the parenchymal complications and associated abnormalities.

Materials and methods

CT scans of children with lymphobronchial TB were reviewed retrospectively. Lymphadenopathy, bronchial narrowing, parenchymal complications and associations were documented.

Results

Infants comprised 51% of patients. The commonest site of lymphadenopathy was the subcarinal mediastinum (97% of patients). Bronchial compression was seen in all children (259 bronchi, of these 28% the bronchus intermedius) with severe or complete stenosis in 23% of affected bronchi. Parenchymal complications were present in 94% of patients, including consolidation (88%), breakdown (42%), air trapping (38%), expansile pneumonia (28%), collapse (17%) and bronchiectasis (9%), all predominantly on the right side (63%). Associated abnormalities included ovoid lesions, miliary nodules, pleural disease and intracavitary bodies.

Conclusion

Airway compression was more severe in infants and most commonly involved the bronchus intermedius. Numerous parenchymal complications were documented, all showing right-side predominance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa

    Susan Lucas & Savvas Andronikou

  2. Department Paediatrics, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    Pierre Goussard & Robert Gie

Authors
  1. Susan Lucas
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  2. Savvas Andronikou
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  3. Pierre Goussard
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  4. Robert Gie
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Correspondence to Susan Lucas.

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Lucas, S., Andronikou, S., Goussard, P. et al. CT features of lymphobronchial tuberculosis in children, including complications and associated abnormalities. Pediatr Radiol 42, 923–931 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-012-2399-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-012-2399-x

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