[Progressive primary tuberculosis with endobronchial involvement. Benefits of multislice helical computed tomography].
OBJECTIVE
To assess computed tomography (CT) imaging findings in progressive primary tuberculosis and to determine the use of the multislice images obtained.


METHODS
We report the case of a 37-day-old infant admitted to hospital because of persistent fever despite antimicrobial therapy. Thoracic X-ray and multislice helical CT (CT Light speed i1.6 GE) were performed with 3-dimensional and virtual endoscopy reconstructions.


RESULTS
CT showed mediastinal and hilar necrotic lymph nodes, pulmonary parenchymal involvement with miliary pattern, and multiple cavitated consolidations. Endobronchial involvement was clearly visualized by virtual endoscopy and was confirmed by fiberoptic bronchoscopy.


CONCLUSIONS
Virtual endoscopy is a new, less invasive alternative radiological technique to fiberoptic bronchoscopy that may influence the management of patients with tuberculosis with endobronchial involvement.
Puchades Román
I
I
Unidad de TC y Resonancia Magnética (ERESA), Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Spain. ipuchades@eresa.com
Alegre Romero
M
M
Roch Pendería
S
S
Alonso Muñoz
E
E
Esteban Hernández
J M
JM
D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D014391:Tuberculosis, Miliary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*