Splenic involvement of tuberculosis: US and CT findings

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) of spleen is rare and usually occurs in miliarv form. Macronodular form is extremely rare, Immunodeficiency associated with alcoholism IV drug abuse, diabetes, cancer, corticosteroid therapy, and AIDS are prominent risk factors. Early diagnosis and treatment are important, because untreated abdominal TB carries a 50% mortality rate. We report US and CT of five cases with splenic TB. Our cases showed multiple small hypoechoic and hypodense nodules on US and CT, respectively, except one case whose US was normal. All cases also had extrasplenic involvement. The diagnosis of TB was established in two cases by cervical and in one case by submandibular lymph node biopsy, in one case by peritoneal biopsy, and in one case by a typical spinal lesion at L2-3. The US and CT findings are not specific for TB, but especially in endemic regions TB should be included in the differential diagnosis of Splenic lesions. © 1994 Springer-Verlag.