Role of computed tomography in the diagnosis of rib and lung involvement in tuberculous retromammary abscesses.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of rib and lung involvement in tuberculous abscess in the retromammary region.


METHODS
Eight patients with tuberculous retromammary abscess were examined by CT and the findings were evaluated. A cold abscess (purulent collection with absence of acute inflammation) was aspirated in all cases. Diagnosis was confirmed by acid-fast bacillus culture, or histologic examination.


RESULTS
CT showed a relatively well marginated, inhomogeneous, hypodense lesions in all eight cases. Following administration of intravenous contrast medium, these lesions showed enhancing walls, suggestive of an infective collection. Lung involvement was seen in one patient. A direct communication from the retromammary lesion through the thoracic wall into the pleura was seen in five cases. In four cases destroyed rib fragments within the abscess were noted.


CONCLUSIONS
A tuberculous abscess in the retromammary region is usually shown on CT as a focal, well-marginated, inhomogeneous, hypodense lesion with a surrounding enhancing rim. A direct communication with the pleura, a destroyed rib fragment in the abscess, and associated lung involvement may be revealed by CT.
Supe
A N
AN
Department of Surgery, Seth G.S. Medical College and K.E.M. Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India. avisupe@vsnl.com
Prabhu
R Y
RY
Priya
Hira
H
D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012272:Ribs / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014394:Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*