title: Evaluation of intestinal tuberculosis by multi-slice computed tomography enterography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multi-slice computed tomography enterography (MSCTE) is now widely used to diagnose and monitor intestinal disease. Preliminary studies suggest that MSCTE may be useful in detecting intestinal tuberculosis (ITB). We sought to assess the use of MSCTE for the diagnosis of ITB in our medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective study, 15 patients (11 males and 4 females, 6 to 65 years old) were enrolled and diagnosed with ITB by MSCTE. Diagnosis were confirmed by pathology or clinical criteria. Two experienced abdominal radiologists evaluated the images and defined the location, number, shape, edge, surrounding tissue alterations of ITB and other associated changes in the peritoneum, mesentery and solid abdominal organs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The interval between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis varied from 20 days to 10 years. The most common symptom was abdominal pain (80 %). The ileocecum was the most common site affected by ITB (87 %). Morphological MSCTE findings were variable and included multi-segmental symmetric intestinal mural thickening found in 6 patients (40 %), solid masses found in 9 patients (60 %), and enlarged lymph nodes (LNs) found in 13 (87 %) patients. Non-enhancing central necrosis and rim enhancement were noted in 10 patients (67 %).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Characteristic MSCTE findings of ITB include solid mass or multi-segmental symmetric mural thickening involving the ileocecal area and rim enhanced LNs. Knowledge of these features in combination with a high index of suspicion can be useful in early diagnosis of ITB.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University. 58th, The Second Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China. zib5122@126.com.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. cuiminyi@163.com.
authors.forename: Min-Yi
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: Medical Imaging Department, Union Hospital, Hong Kong. 18 Fu Kin Street, Tai Wai, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong. taochan@hku.hk.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University. 58th, The Second Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China. maoren2013@yahoo.com.cn.
authors.forename: Ren
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University. 58th, The Second Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China. 583149136@qq.com.
authors.forename: Yanji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University. 58th, The Second Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China. barua_indira@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Indira
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Barua
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University. 58th, The Second Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China. chenminhu@vip.163.com.
authors.forename: Minhu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University. 58th, The Second Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China. liziping163@tom.com.
authors.forename: Zi-Ping
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University. 58th, The Second Zhongshan Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China. fst1977@163.com.
authors.forename: Shi-Ting
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014395:Peritonitis, Tuberculous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014385:Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult