In those with signs or symptoms of disease, the radiographic pattern of upper-lobe or superior-segment lower-lobe fibrocavitary disease in the appropriate clinical setting is sufficient to warrant respiratory isolation and sputum culture for definitive diagnosis. Using radiographs in combination with clinical evaluation results in a high sensitivity for the diagnosis but a relatively low specificity for both latent [4] and active TB [5]. In addition, radiographs may reveal ancillary findings of TB such as pleural effusion or spondylitis. For immunocompromised hosts, particularly those with a low CD4 count, computed tomography (CT) should be considered. 1Principal Author and Panel Chair, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. 2Panel Vice-chair, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado. 3Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. 4University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. 5Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. 6Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona. 7Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, American College of Chest Physicians. 8Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida. 9Columbia University Medical Center New York and Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 10Specialty Chair, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida. The American College of Radiology seeks and encourages collaboration with other organizations on the development of the ACR Appropriateness Criteria through society representation on expert panels. Participation by representatives from collaborating societies on the expert panel does not necessarily imply individual or society endorsement of the final document. Reprint requests to: publications@acr.org Imaging of Possible Tuberculosis Magnetic resonance imaging Only 1 study has been performed evaluating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for suspected TB.
Imaging of Possible Tuberculosis. In those with signs or symptoms of disease, the radiographic pattern of upper-lobe or superior-segment lower-lobe fibrocavitary disease in the appropriate clinical setting is sufficient to warrant respiratory isolation and sputum culture for definitive diagnosis. Using radiographs in combination with clinical evaluation results in a high sensitivity for the diagnosis but a relatively low specificity for both latent [4] and active TB [5]. In addition, radiographs may reveal ancillary findings of TB such as pleural effusion or spondylitis. For immunocompromised hosts, particularly those with a low CD4 count, computed tomography (CT) should be considered. 1Principal Author and Panel Chair, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. 2Panel Vice-chair, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado. 3Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. 4University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. 5Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. 6Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona. 7Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, American College of Chest Physicians. 8Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida. 9Columbia University Medical Center New York and Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 10Specialty Chair, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida. The American College of Radiology seeks and encourages collaboration with other organizations on the development of the ACR Appropriateness Criteria through society representation on expert panels. Participation by representatives from collaborating societies on the expert panel does not necessarily imply individual or society endorsement of the final document. Reprint requests to: publications@acr.org Imaging of Possible Tuberculosis Magnetic resonance imaging Only 1 study has been performed evaluating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for suspected TB.