Tuberculosis--the great mimicker

Demographic, Clinical, Radiological, and Surgical Outcome of Patients with Intestinal Tuberculosis: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Background

Intestinal tuberculosis (iTB) represents a potentially underrecognized clinical entity with limited clinical and radiological differentiating features. This study aims to assess the patterns of iTB clinical and radiological findings, along with the treatment approaches and the overall outcome.

Methods

This retrospective cross-sectional study included patients with histopathologically confirmed iTB who presented with acute abdomen and were surgically managed between September 2005 and October 2023. Clinical and sociodemographic variables, imaging features, surgical treatments, and overall outcomes were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

96 patients with iTB were included, with a mean age of 36.1 ± 11.5 years and a relatively proportionate gender distribution. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom (45.8%). The radiological features varied by the modality. Plain imaging showed non-specific findings, while ultrasonography showed loculated ascites (25%), and lymphadenopathy (22%). In computed tomography scans, multi-segmental symmetric intestinal thickening (53.1%) was the most prevalent finding. The most commonly performed surgical procedure was adhesiolysis (29.2%), with the ileocecal junction being the most commonly involved structure (39.6%). Histopathological examination of all the tissue biopsies revealed epithelioid granulomas. Postoperative complications occurred in 19 patients (19.8%), with surgical site infection being the most common complication (10.4%).

Conclusion

Intestinal obstruction is an underrecognized manifestation of tuberculosis, particularly in endemic regions. The non-specific clinical presentation, coupled with the limited utility of laboratory and radiological tests, often leads to delayed recognition and treatment. Maintaining a high index of suspicion is essential, especially in younger patients, inhabitants of endemic areas, or those with laboratory findings indicative of chronic inflammation. Prompt recognition is crucial to ensure the timely initiation of anti-tuberculosis therapy and to optimize patient outcomes through appropriate follow-up.

Pediatric and adult meningeal, parenchymal, and spinal tuberculosis: A neuroimaging review

Neurotuberculosis is defined as a tuberculous infection of the meninges, brain parenchyma, vessels, cranial and spinal nerves, spinal cord, skull, and spine that can occur either in a localized or in a diffuse form. It is a heterogeneous disease characterized by many imaging appearances and it has been defined as "the great mimicker" due to similarities with many other conditions. The diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) tuberculosis (TB) is based on clinical presentation, neuroimaging findings, laboratory and microbiological findings, and comprehensive evaluation of the response to anti-TB drug treatment. However, the absence of specific symptoms, the wide spectrum of neurological manifestations, the myriad of imaging findings, possible inconclusive laboratory results, and the paradoxical reaction to treatment make the diagnosis often challenging and difficult, potentially delaying adequate treatment with possible devastating short-term and long-term neurologic sequelae. Familiarity with the imaging characteristics helps in accurate diagnosis and may prevent or limit significantly morbidity and mortality. The goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive up-to-date overview of the conventional and advanced imaging features of CNS TB for radiologists, neuroradiologists, and pediatric radiologists. We discuss the most typical neurotuberculosis imaging findings and their differential diagnosis in children and adults with the goal to provide a global overview of this entity.

'Spikeopathy': COVID-19 Spike Protein Is Pathogenic, from Both Virus and Vaccine mRNA

The COVID-19 pandemic caused much illness, many deaths, and profound disruption to society. The production of 'safe and effective' vaccines was a key public health target. Sadly, unprecedented high rates of adverse events have overshadowed the benefits. This two-part narrative review presents evidence for the widespread harms of novel product COVID-19 mRNA and adenovectorDNA vaccines and is novel in attempting to provide a thorough overview of harms arising from the new technology in vaccines that relied on human cells producing a foreign antigen that has evidence of pathogenicity. This first paper explores peer-reviewed data counter to the 'safe and effective' narrative attached to these new technologies. Spike protein pathogenicity, termed 'spikeopathy', whether from the SARS-CoV-2 virus or produced by vaccine gene codes, akin to a 'synthetic virus', is increasingly understood in terms of molecular biology and pathophysiology. Pharmacokinetic transfection through body tissues distant from the injection site by lipid-nanoparticles or viral-vector carriers means that 'spikeopathy' can affect many organs. The inflammatory properties of the nanoparticles used to ferry mRNA; N1-methylpseudouridine employed to prolong synthetic mRNA function; the widespread biodistribution of the mRNA and DNA codes and translated spike proteins, and autoimmunity via human production of foreign proteins, contribute to harmful effects. This paper reviews autoimmune, cardiovascular, neurological, potential oncological effects, and autopsy evidence for spikeopathy. With many gene-based therapeutic technologies planned, a re-evaluation is necessary and timely.

Tuberculosis Screening in Silica-Exposed Workers : Developing a Tool for Health Care Providers

Both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Washington State require safety and health protections for workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica, including tuberculosis (TB) screening as part of occupational medical surveillance. We describe the creation of a TB screening tool for silica-exposed workers receiving regulated medical surveillance examinations in Washington State. The tool provides relevant clinical recommendations to assist health care providers and public health practitioners who choose to use the tool when performing such examinations. A cross-disciplinary team at the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries created the TB screening tool to help health care providers identify silica-exposed workers who should receive a comprehensive evaluation for active TB disease and workers who should or must receive testing for latent TB infection. The Washington State Adult Tuberculosis Screening Tool for Workers Exposed to Respirable Crystalline Silica benefits occupational and respiratory clinicians and public health practitioners by aiding both the individual- and population-level delivery of occupational health and TB screening services to silica-exposed workers receiving required medical surveillance examinations.

Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Tuberculosis

Gastrointestinal (GI) tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant problem worldwide, and may involve the luminal GI tract from oral cavity to perianal area in addition to associated viscera and peritoneum. Although GI TB more commonly affects immunocompromised hosts, it can also occur in immunocompetent people. Diagnosis is difficult because it usually mimics a malignancy or inflammatory bowel disease. A high index of clinical suspicion and appropriate use of combined investigative methods help in early diagnosis, and reduce morbidity and mortality. Anti-TB therapy is the same as for pulmonary disease, and invasive and specialized interventions are reserved for selected complications.

Adult Primary Tuberculosis of Lateral End of Clavicle - A Case of Missed Diagnosis

INTRODUCTION

Of the largest series on osteoarticular tuberculosis (TB) by Tuli et al. involving 1074 cases, only seven involved clavicle. It is also noted that the lateral end of the clavicle has been less frequently involved by tubercular disease than the medial end. We present a case of primary tubercular involvement of the lateral end of the clavicle and discuss its management by an innovative modification of the Weaver-Dunn procedure.

CASE REPORT

Twenty-five-year-old working women came with complaints of swelling in her left shoulder for the past 2 months. On examination, swelling with restricted shoulder movements was noted. Radiological evaluation revealed an osteolytic lesion with a pathological fracture in the lateral end of the clavicle. With a provisional diagnosis of giant cell tumor, we proceeded with fine-needle aspiration cytology which was inconclusive. Blood parameters were within normal limits. We proceeded with the excision biopsy of the lateral end of the clavicle and stabilization with a modified Weaver-Dunn procedure involving the reconstruction of the coracoclavicular ligament and augmentation with an Endobutton loop. Biopsy reported the lesion to be of tuberculous etiology. The patient made a good recovery without any complications.

CONCLUSION

Primary TB of the clavicle is a rarity that mimics other diseases like a tumor; hence, clinicians should be aware of a wide range of presentations to diagnose such an entity. Although antitubercular treatment remains the mainstay of treatment, surgical resection is justified in cases of uncertain diagnosis or disease not responding to conservative lines of management and in cases that need the removal of the sequestrum.

Evaluation of the diagnostic efficacy of 18 F-Fluorine-2-Deoxy-D-Glucose PET/CT for lung cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis in a Tuberculosis-endemic Country

OBJECTIVE

To determine the diagnostic efficacy of ¹⁸ F-FDG PET/CT in distinguishing between pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and lung cancer in solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) in a country with a high prevalence of PTB.

METHODS

Patients with SPN who underwent ¹⁸ F-FDG PET/CT imaging were retrospectively included in the study. The final diagnosis was established by histopathology. A linear regression equation was fitted to a scatter plot of size and SUVmax of lung cancer and PTB. ROC was used to determine the optimal cutoff values and diagnostic accuracy of ¹⁸ F-FDG PET/CT in PTB and lung cancer.

RESULTS

About 514 patients were included with the mean age of 57.5 ± 10.6 years. Four hundred and seventy-five cases were diagnosed as lung cancer, and 39 cases were PTB by histopathology. ¹⁸ F-FDG PET/CT had sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of 96.0%, 48.7%, and 92.0%, respectively. Utilization of SUVmax ≥2.5 in SPN resulted in 2 and 11 false positives cases of lung cancer and PTB, respectively, whereas SUVmax <2.5 resulted in 18 and 10 false-positive cases of lung cancer and PTB, respectively. The SUVmax and the size of short-axis in the lung cancer group were statistically higher than those in the PTB group. The linear regression equation parameters indicated the slope of the regression line of lung cancer was greater than that of PTB. The ROC curve demonstrated the SUVmax cutoff values of 4.85 and 2.25 for lung cancer and PTB, respectively for predicting the diagnostic accuracy of ¹⁸ F-FDG PET/CT.

CONCLUSION

¹⁸ F-FDG PET/CT has a higher sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy for malignant SPN. However, it has high false-positive rate and low specificity in tuberculosis endemic areas. Neither SUVmax nor the sizes of the nodules are valuable parameters for distinguishing between lung cancer and PTB. However, the SPN with larger short-axis and higher SUVmax would be inclined to malignant tumor.

Multisystemic sarcoidosis-important lessons learnt from one of the great imitators

We report a case of a woman who was admitted with a suspicion of metastatic malignancy of unknown primary origin. A few months prior to her admission, she presented to a rheumatologist with acute anterior uveitis, psoriasiform rashes and polyarthritis. A diagnosis of psoriatic arthropathy was made and she was treated accordingly. Soon after she presented with persistent back and right upper quadrant abdominal pain for which she had a CT scan done with evidence of hilar lymphadenopathy, liver hypodensities and lytic-sclerotic bone lesions. She was referred to our hospital for further investigations and management. After re-exploring her clinical presentation and further investigations (including a liver biopsy), a diagnosis of multisystemic sarcoidosis with ocular, reticuloendothelial, hepatic and skeletal involvement was made. The patient was started on systemic glucocorticoids and second line immunosuppressants and demonstrated significant clinical improvement with resolution of her liver granulomata on imaging and improvement in her back pain. The case illustrates the importance of a thorough clinical assessment, review of investigations and an open mind in the evaluation of a patient.

Diagnostic Errors in Tuberculous Patients: A Multicenter Study from a Developing Country

Although there is still much to learn about the types of errors committed in health care and why they occur, enough is known today to recognize that a serious concern exists for patients. Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that is frequently subject to diagnostic errors. Missed or delayed diagnosis of TB can affect patients and community adversely. Our aim in the present study was at evaluating the type of diagnostic errors in TB patients from symptom onset to diagnosis. This was a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in three university hospitals in Mashhad, Iran. We showed a long delay in diagnosing TB that is mostly related to the time from first medical visit to diagnosis. Errors in the diagnostic process were identified in 97.5% of patients. The most common type of error in diagnosing TB was failure in hypothesis generation (72%), followed by history taking and physical examination. In conclusion, it seems likely that efforts to improve public awareness of and health literacy for TB, to coordinate the referral and follow-up systems of patients, and to improve physicians' skills in history taking and physical examination and clinical reasoning will result in reduced delay in diagnosis of TB and, perhaps, improved patient safety and community health.

18F-Fluoro-2-Deoxy-d-Glucose PET/Computed Tomography Evaluation of Lung Cancer in Populations with High Prevalence of Tuberculosis and Other Granulomatous Disease

Pulmonary tuberculosis infects one-third of world's population and is responsible for the high mortality and morbidity in developing countries. The presence of a high number of macrophages and lymphocytes in active tuberculosis granulomas is associated with high uptake of ¹⁸F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose on PET imaging mimicking lung cancer. In many cases, radiological features of pulmonary tuberculosis are undistinguishable from lung cancer, which makes the diagnosis difficult. Clinical history and computed tomographic (CT) findings on a hybrid PET/CT are as important as findings on a PET in the diagnosis of lung cancer.

Asymptomatic pulmonary tuberculosis mimicking lung cancer on imaging: A retrospective study

Asymptomatic pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) mimicking lung cancer is rare and has been documented in few studies. Accurately diagnosing this atypical disease remains an enormous challenge for clinicians. The aim of the present study was to characterize asymptomatic patients with PTB who were initially diagnosed with lung cancer according to their chest computer tomography (CT) or whole-body 18F-fludeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography-computer tomography (PET-CT) presentations. The clinical characteristics and radiographic features of patients with PTB were analyzed and compared to those of patients with lung cancer. In patients with PTB, all lesions exhibited suspected malignant signs on chest CT and the maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) of PET-CT imaging was between 2.65 and 10.9. Compared with lung cancer, the factors associated with PTB included an age <60 years (82% vs. 46%, P=0.03), being male (77% vs. 51%, P=0.025), the presence of diabetes (55% vs. 16%, P<0.01), spiculated margins (82% vs. 44%, P=0.002) and a lower SUVmax (P=0.036). The optimal cut-off level was SUVmax 8.45 for discriminating between PTB and lung cancer. At this point, the sensitivity and specificity were 63.0 and 88.9%, respectively. The results of the current study revealed methods of distinguishing between the two similar diseases. Furthermore, the results of the current study may increase awareness that although imaging of lesions may resemble lung cancer, a diagnosis of PTB should be considered. Accurate diagnosis of PTB would mean that patients would be able to avoid undergoing unnecessary operations that induce a high financial burden.

A 6500-year-old Middle Neolithic child from Pollera Cave (Liguria, Italy) with probable multifocal osteoarticular tuberculosis

Clear skeletal evidence of prehistoric tuberculosis (TB) is rare, especially in children. We describe and differentially diagnose the pathological changes displayed by a five-year-old child, Pollera 21 (PO21) dated to the Middle Neolithic of Liguria (Italy), or 5740±30 BP (Beta-409341; 6635-6453cal BP, 2σ, OxCal 4.2). PO21 shows a number of osteoarticular lesions, mainly of a lytic nature with very little bone proliferation: the vertebral column, the shoulder and pelvic girdles, and the ribcage are involved. Given the nature and pattern of the lesions, we propose a diagnosis of multifocal (or multiple) bone TB. Attempts to detect TB aDNA through molecular analysis gave negative results, but this alone is not sufficient to prove that PO21 was not infected with TB. The lesions observed in PO21 share similarities with other published evidence, such as spinal and joint involvement, and disseminated cyst-like lesions. Conversely, PO21 does not show diffuse bone deposition, such as hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) or endocranial modifications such as serpens endocrania symmetrica (SES). PO21 adds to our knowledge of patterns of TB manifestation in archaeological skeletal remains, which is especially important considering the variability in types and patterns of osteoarticular lesions seen today in people with TB.

[Bone tuberculosis mimicking malignancy: a case report]

La tuberculose osseuse peut prendre l'aspect d'une tumeur maligne. Nous présentons le cas d'un enfant de 4 ans porteur d'une tuberculose osseuse ayant simulé un ostéosarcome fémoral. Le diagnostic a été redressé par l'étude anatomopathologique. Ce cas souligne l'importance de connaitre les des différents aspects cliniques et radiologiques de la tuberculose osseuse qui peut simuler une tumeur maligne. Afin d'éviter tout retard diagnostic, chirurgiens pédiatres et radiologues doivent savoir que la tuberculose peut revêtir les tableaux cliniques et radiologiques de nombreuses pathologies.

Tuberculosis presenting as a 'swollen calf'

We report the case of an 83-year-old man who presented with swelling of his left lower leg. Subsequent investigations revealed that the swelling was due to a Mycobacterium tuberculosis abscess in the tibialis anterior muscle.

Differential Diagnosis of Cavitary Lung Lesions

Many different diseases present as cavitary pulmonary nodules. The spectrum of diseases ranges from acute to chronic infections, chronic systemic diseases, and malignancies. To decide on the most likely or correct diagnosis may be challenging. Knowledge of common and uncommon radiological findings in correlation with relevant clinical history and findings is necessary to make the right diagnosis and recommend the correct follow-up or step forward. The aim of this pictorial review is to present a brief overview of CT findings of common cavitary lung diseases seen in adult patients.

Co-existing tuberculosis and malignant mesothelioma with multiple sites venous thrombosis: a case report

Background

Tuberculosis is endemic in India and almost 40 % of the Indian population is infected with tubercle bacilli. Tuberculosis being a great mimicker of infectious as well as non infectious diseases and recent rise of multi drug resistant and extended drug resistant cases have made diagnosis and management more difficult. To the best of our knowledge there have been no reported cases of tuberculosis coexisting with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma leading to multiple site venous thrombosis.

Case presentation

Forty five year old male, belonging to Indian/Aryan ethnicity presented with cough, breathlessness and fever for 7 months with past history of pulmonary tuberculosis. On examination he was found to have pleural effusion for which he received anti-tuberculosis therapy empirically. Later his condition deteriorated and on further examination he was found to have ascites, multiple site venous thrombosis and pyothorax which was found positive for acid fast bacilli. Despite anti-tuberculosis therapy he did not improve and was suspected to be a multidrug resistant case. Later on computed tomography peritoneal nodule was detected and on biopsy revealed malignant mesothelioma.

Conclusion

In a diagnosed case of tuberculosis with clinical findings compatible with it but not responding to anti tubercular therapy, underlying secondary co-existing pathology should be explored.

[Cold thoracic parietal abscess in immunocompetent individuals]

Les abcès froids de la paroi thoracique représentent une forme rare et inhabituelle de tuberculose extrapulmonaire. Sa fréquence est estimée à moins de 5% des tuberculoses ostéoarticulaires, évaluées elles-mêmes à 15% des tuberculoses extrapulmonaires. L'objectif de ce travail est de rapporter la prise en charge diagnostique et thérapeutique de cette localisation dans notre structure. Etude rétrospective portant sur 18 cas colligés au service des maladies respiratoires du centre hospitalier universitaire Ibn Rochd de Casablanca, sur une période de 13 ans. La moyenne d’âge était de 34 ans (21-57). Un antécédent de tuberculose traitée était relevé dans un cas. Le tableau clinique était révélé par l'apparition insidieuse d'une masse pariétale de taille, de consistance et de siège variables. A l'imagerie thoracique, l'abcès pariétal était associé à une lyse osseuse dans sept cas, une atteinte parenchymateuse et pleurale dans quatre cas chacune et des adénopathies médiastinales dans deux cas. La confirmation diagnostique était bactériologique et/ou histologique dans tous les cas. La sérologie du virus de l'immunodéficience humaineétait négative chez tous nos malades. L’évolution sous traitement antibacillaire couplé ou non à une résection chirurgicale était favorable chez tous nos malades. Malgré la fréquence de la tuberculose dans notre contexte, la localisation pariétale thoracique reste rare, survenant chez une population non immunodéprimée et non toxicomane, contrairement à ce qui est souvent rapporté dans la littérature. Les abcès froids tuberculeux représentent une forme rare de tuberculose extrapulmonaire dont l’évolution reste favorable sous traitement précoce et bien conduit.

Primary tuberculoma of the liver: a case report and literature review

We report the case of an immunocompetent patient with an isolated tuberculoma of the liver, which was diagnosed by percutaneous US-guided liver biopsy. The patient received an antitubercular therapy, and there has been no relapse to date.