Pediatric postprimary pulmonary tuberculosis.
BACKGROUND
Postprimary pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is not commonly seen in children.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the radiographic findings and patient characteristics of pediatric postprimary pulmonary TB.


METHODS
We reviewed the clinical charts and chest radiographs in six patients.


RESULTS
The radiographic findings of pediatric postprimary pulmonary TB include upper-lobe consolidation and cavitation, multifocal ill-defined airspace opacities, evidence of prior pulmonary TB, and apical pleural thickening. Pleural effusions and lymphadenopathy are not commonly present. Although postprimary disease typically does not affect young children, five of the children in this series were less than ten years of age at the time of presentation.


CONCLUSIONS
The possibility of postprimary TB should be considered in pediatric patients at risk for this disease who present with upper-lobe pulmonary consolidation and cavitation. These patients are highly infectious and early recognition and treatment can limit transmission of TB.
Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba, Health Sciences Centre, GA216-820 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3A 1R9. umshewc7@cc.umanitoba.ca
Jason R
JR
Shewchuk
Martin H
MH
Reed
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*