Imaging of thoracic tuberculosis: pulmonary and extrapulmonary

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent globally, despite being a potentially curable disease. This disease typically affects the lungs but may involve many extrapulmonary sites, especially in patients with risk factors such as HIV infection. The clinical features of extrapulmonary TB may mimic many different disease entities, particularly at less common thoracic sites such as the heart, chest wall, and breast. Imaging has an important role in the early diagnosis of TB, helping to detect disease, guide appropriate laboratory investigation, demonstrate complications, and monitor disease progress and response to treatment. Imaging supports the clinical objective of achieving effective treatment outcome and complication prevention. This review aims to highlight the imaging spectrum of TB affecting both pulmonary and extrapulmonary sites in the thorax. We also briefly provide key background information about TB, such as epidemiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis.