Tuberculosis is an old public health enemy that is seeing a frightening resurgence. Fortunately, medical imaging technology has improved dramatically in recent years, giving healthcare providers a powerful weapon to fight the spread of the disease.
Dear AuntMinnie Member,
TB rates are rising around the world on the heels of the HIV pandemic, and the emergence of new, drug-resistant strains of TB are also confounding efforts to control the disease. Another complication is that the radiographic features of HIV-related TB can differ from TB’s classic appearance, leading to a dilemma for radiologists, according to an article by staff writer N. Shivapriya that we’re featuring in our X-Ray Digital Community.
Chest radiography is the classic screening tool for TB, as x-ray units are cheap and plentiful. There are even some low-tech tools that providers in developing nations can use to create an inexpensive telemedicine link without pricey software or digitization equipment.
More advanced modalities are also proving their mettle in TB detection and diagnosis. Both CT and MRI have their advantages in detecting complications of TB, such as extrapulmonary involvement or pericardial abscess, and can help guide therapeutic interventions.
Learn more about what imaging professionals are doing to combat TB in our X-Ray Digital Community, at http://x-ray.auntminnie.com.
