Diagnostic pitfalls of urogenital tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVES: To describe characteristics, details of diagnosis and outcomes of urogenital tuberculosis (UGTB) in a low-prevalence country. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study of 37 consecutive patients diagnosed with UGTB between 1st January 2014 and 31st October 2019 in an East London hospital. RESULTS: 68% (25/37) of patients were male and the median age was 42 years (IQR 34-55). 89% (33/37) of patients were born outside the United Kingdom with 65% (24/37) born in the South Asian region. Renal (32.4%), epididymal (24.3%) and endometrial TB (21.6%) were the most prevalent forms of UGTB. Only 13.5% of UGTB patients had concurrent pulmonary TB. The median length of time from symptom onset to treatment was 163 days, while endometrial TB had an average delay to diagnosis of 564 days. Approximately half of patients with UGTB were culture positive (51.4%). However, 70% of early morning urines (EMUs) sent in urinary TB were culture positive. 11 patients (30.6%) underwent two or more invasive procedures, such as biopsy to obtain specimen samples. The mean treatment length for all UGTB cases was 7.3 months (SD 3.1). Notably, 25% of patients with endometrial TB required surgery despite antituberculous treatment. CONCLUSIONS: UGTB is challenging to diagnose as early disease is often asymptomatic. Clinicians faced with non-specific symptoms, or features suggestive of urogenital malignancy amongst patients from TB-endemic areas, should maintain a high suspicion of UGTB.

Imaging Manifestations of Genitourinary Tuberculosis.

The genitourinary region is one of the most common sites of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) involvement. The imaging features of genitourinary TB are protean and can mimic other entities, including malignancy, and pose a diagnostic dilemma. Hematogenous seeding and lymphatic spread of mycobacteria from pulmonary, tonsillar, and nodal TB are implicated in the pathogenesis of genitourinary TB. In addition, contiguous extension from the urinary tract and sexual transmission are described as sources of genital TB. Genitourinary TB can be indolent and results in nonspecific signs and symptoms; thus, imaging has a vital role in the working diagnosis for these cases. Classic uroradiologic signs of genitourinary TB are primarily described from the era of intravenous urography and conventional radiography. Now, CT, CT urography, MRI, and US are used in the diagnosis and management. Familiarity with the imaging features of genitourinary TB may help guide the diagnosis and, in turn, lead to timely management. US has a vital role in the evaluation of scrotal and female genital TB. MRI offers superior soft-tissue contrast resolution and excellent depiction of anatomic detail. The various imaging manifestations of genitourinary TB are highlighted. ©RSNA, 2021.

Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis: Pathophysiology and Imaging Findings.

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) represents approximately 15% of all TB infections. It is difficult to diagnose on the basis of imaging characteristics and clinical symptoms, and biopsy is required in many cases. Radiologists must be aware of the imaging findings of extrapulmonary TB to identify the condition in high-risk patients, even in the absence of active pulmonary infection. In extrapulmonary TB, the lymphatic system is most frequently affected. The presence of necrotic lymph nodes and other organ-specific imaging features increases the diagnostic probability of extrapulmonary TB. Disseminated infection and central nervous system involvement are the most frequent manifestations in immunosuppressed patients. Renal disease can occur in immunocompetent patients with very long latency periods between the primary pulmonary infection and genitourinary involvement. In several cases, gastrointestinal, solid-organ, and peritoneal TB show nonspecific imaging findings. Tuberculous spondylitis is the most frequent musculoskeletal manifestation. It is usually diagnosed late and affects multiple vertebral segments with extensive paraspinal abscess. Articular disease is the second most frequent musculoskeletal manifestation, and synovitis is its predominant imaging finding.©RSNA, 2019.

Can kidneys be saved in patients with urinary tuberculosis? A study in the era of modern chemotherapy and surgical armamentarium.

OBJECTIVE: To assess renal unit survival and factors affecting renal salvageability in a cohort of patients receiving modern medical and surgical therapy for urinary tuberculosis. METHODS: This was a retrospective single-center study including all patients diagnosed and treated as urinary tuberculosis between 2005 and 2015 at Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. The primary outcome was time to renal unit non-salvageability (estimated glomerular filtration rate of <15 mL/min). RESULTS: A total of 128 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 37.7 ± 11.3 years, 33% had microbiological and 73% had histopathological confirmation in addition to radiological diagnosis. The estimated median survival of the involved renal units (n = 187) on Kaplan-Meier estimate was 75 months (95% CI 39-99). On multivariate analysis, renal units with initial split function >15 mL/min had fivefold the survival estimate as compared with those ≤15 mL/min (P < 0.001); the presence of one, two and three infundibular strictures had a 2.2-, 2.9- and fivefold higher hazard of renal unit loss respectively, and lower ureteric strictures had fivefold longer estimated survival (P = 0.015) after treatment. Renal units in the reconstruction group had 5.44-fold (95% CI 2.71-10.88, P < 0.001) longer survival than the permanent diversion group, with a mean change in split function of +0.76 (±16.11) mL/min, versus -5.61 (±10.87) mL/min respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of renal units is a function of time despite modern treatment. Baseline renal unit function, site of ureteric involvement and extent of infundibular involvement on imaging are helpful in predicting the duration of renal salvageability. When feasible, reconstruction is better at renal function preservation.

[The epidemiological situation of urogenital tuberculosis in Siberia and the Far East].

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis remains one of the most important problems of our time. Late diagnosis of urogenital tuberculosis (UGT) results from a lack of a clinician awareness, paucity of pathognomonic symptoms and suboptimal therapy for urinary tract infections while UGT often manifests under their disguise. AIM: To determine the incidence of urogenital tuberculosis and its structure in an epidemiologically unfavorable region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study compared the temporal changes in the structure of UGT morbidity from 1999 to 2015 in the Siberian and Far Eastern Federal Districts and analyzed outpatient medical records of 456 UGT patients. RESULTS: The highest (46%) proportion of UGT in the structure of extrapulmonary disease was found in 2003, the lowest (22.9%) in 2014. According to outpatient medical records, the proportions of patients with stage 1, stage 2 and cavernous forms of nephrotuberculosis ranged from 21.2 to 37%, 26 to 53.5% and 21.6 to 37%, respectively. The incidence of prostate tuberculosis ranged from 0 in 2003 and 7.1% in 2008 to 54.2% in 2013, averaging to 33.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, it is impossible to estimate the true prevalence of UGT, we can only speak about the detection rate. Every fourth UGT patient was under the medical supervision with a wrong diagnosis for 5 or more years. The proportion of UGT in the structure of morbidity from all forms of extrapulmonary TB reached a minimum (22.9%) in 2014 but went up again. Introducing new technologies has led to an improvement of bacteriological verification of UGT and increased prostate tuberculosis detection rate to 35.7%.

Nationwide survey of urogenital tuberculosis in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: To determine current epidemiology and treatment patterns of urogenital tuberculosis in Japan. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to the urological departments of 1203 Japanese hospitals. Clinical data was reviewed retrospectively; no time range was specified. RESULTS: Of the 1203 hospitals, 399 returned questionnaires with information about 355 urogenital tuberculosis patients. Of the 399, 153 institutions reported at least one patient, and 201 patients were identified between 2000 and 2007. Infections were located in the kidneys (n = 242), ureter (n = 96), bladder (n = 100), epididymis or testes (n = 81) and prostate (n = 9). CONCLUSIONS: Urogenital tuberculosis is rare in Japan, but patients do exist, and we should not ignore them.

Imaging findings of urinary tuberculosis on computerized tomography versus excretory urography: through 46 confirmed cases.

BACKGROUND: Imaging findings of urinary tuberculosis (TB) on excretory urography (IVP) and CT have been reported to be nonspecific although CT may provide detailed informations. We performed a retrospective study of patients with proven urinary TB to compare imaging findings on IVP and CT and to make a systemic approach to imaging analysis of urinary TB. METHODS: Urinary TB was diagnosed in 46 patients who had IVP and CT examinations prior to definitive diagnosis and treatment. They were 30 females and 16 males with a mean age of 43.6 ys. We assessed the presence and frequency of urinary tract calcifications, autonephrectomy, renal parenchymal masses, renal parenchymal scarring, moth-eaten calices, amputated infundibulum, renal parenchymal cavities, hydrocalycosis, hydronephrosis, hydroureter and thick urinary tract walls. RESULTS: CT was most sensitive in detecting any renal parenchyma cavities (p=0.01), hydronephrois (p=0.0005), ureteral stricture (p=0.03) and walls thickening of the renal pelvis / ureter (p< 0.0001). Four imaging patterns were noted in 20 IVPs (43%) and 34 CTs (74%) with multiple findings. They were hydrocalycosis, hydronephrosis or hydroureter du to multiple stricture sites, ureteral stricture with thick wall, autonephrectomy combined with at least 1 other type of imaging finding and thick wall of renal pelvis or ureters and bladder with at least 1 other type of imaging finding. CONCLUSIONS: Renal parenchymal cavities, hydronephrosis, ureteral stricture and thickened urinary tract walls were significantly more common on CT than on IVP. Multiple findings on CT were more common and very useful for TB diagnosis. Thus, we recommend CT as the standard exam in patients with suspicion of urinary TB.

Imaging findings of prostate tuberculosis by transrectal contrast-enhanced ultrasound and comparison with 2D ultrasound and pathology.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) appearances of prostate tuberculosis (PTB) and its correlation with histopathology. METHODS: Clinical, transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and CEUS data of 12 PTB patients confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed, and compared to the pathological findings to identify the pathological structures corresponding to different image enhancement areas. RESULTS: No specific characteristics could be found for the clinical appearances. Enlarged gland, hypoechoic lesions and calcification due to PTB could be found by TRUS, which were also non-specific. CEUS showed hypo- or non-enhanced lesions with varying size, which were related to different pathological stages of PTB. The incidence rate of non-enhanced lesions was 83.3%. The detection rate of suspected lesion by CEUS was significantly higher than that by TRUS (χ2 = 8.000, p = 0.005). Histopathology showed that the hypoenhanced area consisted of tuberculous granulomas, caseous necrosis and incomplete destruction of the glands, while the non-enhanced area consisted of caseous or liquified necrosis. CONCLUSION: CEUS could improve the detection rate of PTB lesions, and the diversity of its manifestations was related to different pathological structures. An enlarged, soft gland with non-enhanced on CEUS may provide valuable information for the diagnosis of PTB, but it is not a substitute for biopsy due to the diversity of CEUS findings. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: When the lesions of prostate gland are unclear in TRUS examination, CEUS is an ideal option for the detection of lesions, which is conducive to targeted guidance of biopsy areas.

Multimodality Imaging of Genitourinary Tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) prevalence has increased over the past few decades, especially in the developing world. The genitourinary tract is the most common extra-pulmonary location of TB. Symptoms of genitourinary TB are often vague. Diagnosis of genitourinary TB requires a high level of clinical suspicion. Healthcare providers must be familiar with genitourinary TB imaging features on different imaging modalities and how to correlate these findings with urine studies and histologic analysis to definitively diagnose genitourinary TB.

Bilateral testicular tuberculomas: a case detection.

Genitourinary tuberculosis (TB) is the most frequent manifestation of extrapulmonary TB, where the epididymides, seminal vesicles and prostate are the commonly infected sites, followed by the testes. We report a 29-year-old man who presented with primary infertility since 2 years. He had a history of bilateral painful scrotal swelling with fever since 4 years, diagnosed as pyogenic scrotal abscess, which was managed by incision and drainage. At presentation, fever, weight loss and night sweats were absent. On examination, he had ovoid slightly tender, firm to hard irregular masses in the lower poles of both testes with no line of separation encroaching on both epididymes. Both testes were not felt distinctly and the overlying scrotal skin showed no signs of inflammation. Semen analysis revealed azoospermia. Scrotal colour coded duplex ultrasonography demonstrated moderately enlarged testes having well defined hypoechoic masses with foci of calcifications. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed these findings. Biopsy and histopathology detected the presence of caseating granuloma and Ziehl-Neelsen staining of paraffin sections demonstrated acid-fast bacilli. The patient was treated with combination therapy. Tracing of the condition is discussed.

[Radical nephrouretercystectomy].

The results of radical nephrouretercystectomy (NUCE) are presented for 13 patients (9 males and 4 females, age 44-70 years, mean age 58 +/- 1.7 years). One-stage NUCE was made in 11 patients, two- or three-stage--in 2 patients. Indications for NUCE were the following: urothelial cancer, urogenital tuberculosis, microcystis, neurogenic dysfunction of the urinary bladder complicated by definite renal dysfunction. Postoperative complications arose in 3 patients. Lethal outcomes were absent. The results presented say in favour of extended surgery in involvement of the kidney, ureter, urinary bladder, prostate, urethra. Radical NUCE is primarily indicated in cancer of the renal pelvis, ureter with muscular invasion into the bladder wall, non-functional kidney due to ureteral obstruction with a tumor or scar.

Urogenital tuberculosis: patient classification in seven different groups according to clinical and radiological presentation.

PURPOSE: To describe and classify 80 cases of urogenital tuberculosis in seven groups of similar clinical and radiological presentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 80 patients (56 males, 70%; median age 34 years; age range 12 to 75) with urogenital tuberculosis were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided in seven groups: 1) Bilateral parenchymatous renal lesions; 2) No or minimal changes on radiographic examination; 3) Unilateral renal tuberculosis; 4) Contracted bladder; 5) Contracted bladder with renal failure; 6) Tuberculosis on a transplanted kidney; 7) Isolated genital tuberculosis. RESULTS: 1) Seven (8.8%) patients had multiple bilateral parenchymatous renal lesions with fever and malaise, characteristic of miliary tuberculosis. Three of these patients had AIDS. 2) Six (7.5%) cases had an early diagnosis, with minimal or no radiographic lesions. Two did not have any urologic symptoms. 3) Twelve (15%) patients had unilateral renal tuberculosis with partial (1 case) or total non-function kidney. 4) Thirty-seven (46.3%) patients had contracted bladder associated with unilateral partial (1 case) or total non-function kidney. 5) Ten (12.5%) patients had end stage renal disease due to tuberculosis with contracted bladder. 6) Four (5.0%) patients had tuberculosis on a transplanted kidney, with graft loss in half the cases. 7) Four (5.0%) patients had prostate or epididymis tuberculosis without associated renal lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Urogenital tuberculosis is a destructive disease of the urogenital tract with variable clinical and radiographic presentation. A classification according to similar patterns correlating with disease stage is feasible although early diagnosis is the only prevention of the most severe forms.

Multidetector CT urography in urogenital tuberculosis: use of reformatted images for the assessment of the radiological findings. A pictorial essay.

Urogenital tuberculosis (UGTB) is the most common form of extrapulmonary TB and is responsible for a destructive inflammation of the renal parenchyma and urinary tract often leading to the loss of kidney function. For these reasons, the early diagnosis of this disease, once considered disappeared in developed countries, is very important to establish a prompt and efficient treatment. However, the subtle and non-specific symptoms, often represented by recurrent and persistent lower urinary tract symptoms, can confound and delay the diagnosis. Therefore, an adequate and comprehensive imaging study is necessary in patients with persistent urinary tract infections not responding to the antibiotics and can suggest the hypothesis although bacteriological and/or histologic analysis is required for a definitive diagnosis. In the past years, intravenous urography (IVU) has allowed a comprehensive study of the urinary excretory tract, promoting the knowledge of the radiological findings of this disease. Nowadays, computed tomography urography (CTU), with the implementation of multidetector (MD) technology, has replaced IVU in all its indications; the MDCTU improves the assessment of renal and urinary tract lesions using reformatted images [such as multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and maximum intensity projection (MIP)]. Therefore, our paper aims to provide a guide for radiologist for searching the classic signs of UGTB on MDCTU, encouraging the use of the MPR and MIP reformatted images.

Laparoscopy-assisted ileal ureter creation for multiple tuberculous strictures: report of two cases.

We describe in detail the technique of laparoscopy-assisted ileal ureter creation for multiple tuberculous ureteral strictures in two patients. The proximal anastomosis included an ileocalicostomy in the first patient and an ileopyelostomy in the second patient. The first patient had bowel entrapment behind the mesentery of the ileal loop, but the second patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery. Short-term follow-up showed good patency of the ileal loop. The variations in the technique that can cause postoperative problems are discussed, and the future of this technique is postulated.

Case report: tubercular cold abscess of seminal vesicle: minimally invasive endoscopic management.

BACKGROUND: Tubercular cold abscess of the seminal vesicle is very rare, and only a few cases are reported in literature. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult and to the best of our knowledge has not been reported. CASE REPORT: A 35-year-old man presented with a 7-year history of blood in the semen and a reddish brownish discharge per urethra while defecating. On rectal examination, a soft fluctuant mass was felt above the prostate. Abdominal ultrasonography showed cystic swelling of the right seminal vesicle bulging into the posterior bladder wall. Semen examination showed abundant pus cells and 90% immotile sperm with normal morphology. Acid-fast bacilli were not seen, but acid-fast bacilli were found in a 24-hour urine specimen. Cystoscopy showed tubercles in the urethra and brownish discharge from the orifice of the right ejaculatory duct on per-rectal compression of the mass. The abscess cavity was incised with a Collings' knife. Brownish material was evacuated, and the abscess cavity was seen. An 18F Foley catheter was placed for 3 days. Antitubercular therapy was instituted. Ultrasonography repeated after 3, 25, 45, and 75 days showed gradual regression of the abscess cavity. Semen examination after 75 days was normal, with 75% motility, and cystoscopy 45 days postoperatively showed complete healing of the wound. CONCLUSION: The incision connecting the bladder with the abscess cavity facilitated evacuation of pus and complete resolution of the abscess.

Role of imaging in predicting salvageability of kidneys in urinary tract tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of imaging in predicting salvageability of kidneys and the role of early nephrectomy in urinary tract tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 103 cases managed between 1990 to 1998. Intravenous urograms (IVUs) were reviewed and based on the IVU findings. Patients were stratified into three groups. Treatment consisted of immediate surgery, defined as nephrectomy within six weeks of starting anti-TB treatment (ATT) and delayed as nephrectomy done after completion of ATT. Chi square test was applied to find the significance of early nephrectomy. Logistic regression analysis model was used to identify factors predicting salvageabilty of the nephron mass. RESULTS: Of the 103 cases, 23 had early nephrectomy and all of them achieved cure and had good renal function at follow up. Of the 76 who received only ATT, 43 were cured and the remaining 33 deteriorated symptomatically with high serum creatinine and decreasing GFR. Of the 33 who deteriorated, radiological and biochemical deterioration was seen in 24, two developed flank sinus and one developed multi drug resistant TB. On sub-grouping of the patients based on IVU, it was found that those with major renal lesion alone (group A) or with bladder involvement (group C) required either early or delayed nephrectomy and those who had minor lesion (group B) or bladder involvement with or without minor lesion (group C) did well on ATT alone. Logistic regression model showed cavitory lesions, GFR < 20ml/min/m2 and gross hydronephrosis as statistically significant unfavourable factors and ureteric stricture as a favourable factor. CONCLUSION: In the era of modem ATT, nephrectomy is still an essential procedure. We recommend early nephrectomy for patients with major renal lesion with or without bladder involvement, gross hydronephrosis and for those who have GFR of < 20 ml/min/m2. Lower ureteric strictures and renal units with GFR of > 20 ml/min/m2 are favourable factors and salvage procedures are successful in these cases. It is likely that nephrectomy removes a large focus of disease and possibly dormant bacteria. With continuance of ATT, this further helps in improved patient outcome.