Urogenital Tuberculosis

Abstract

Urogenital tuberculosis is the second most frequent form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Starting with a pulmonary focus, 2 to 20% of patients develop urogenital tuberculosis through hematogenous spread to the kidneys, prostate, and epididymis; through the descending collecting system to the ureters, bladder, and urethra; and through the ejaculatory ducts to the genital organs. Urogenital tuberculosis occurs at all age ranges, but it is predominant in males in their fourth and fifth decades. It is a serious, insidious disease, generally developing symptoms only at a late stage, which leads to a diagnostic delay with consequent urogenital organ destruction; there are reports of patients with renal failure as their initial clinical presentation. Although the condition has been long recognized by nephrologists, urologists, and infectious disease specialists, urogenital tuberculosis is still largely unknown. Even when suggestive findings such as hematuria, sterile pyuria, and recurrent urinary infections are present, we rarely remember this diagnostic possibility. Greater knowledge of the features of urogenital tuberculosis then becomes relevant and should emphasize the importance of an early diagnosis.

FIGURE 1

Post-contrast phase of abdominal computed tomography (CT) in an AIDS patient, with bilateral renal abscesses and dilatation of the collecting system on the right. Retroperitoneal lymph node enlargement with central necrosis is apparent (arrow). From reference , with permission.

FIGURE 2

Magnetic resonance imaging (A) and CT (B and C) of patients with unilateral renal tuberculosis, with dilatation of the collecting system (caliectasis) and thinning of the renal parenchyma. There is no dilatation of the renal pelvis. From reference , with permission.

FIGURE 3

Sequential exams of patient with urogenital tuberculosis. (A) Initial intravenous urography (IU) with right kidney dysfunction and normal left kidney and bladder. (B) IU after 10 months, with development of contracted bladder and ureterohydronephrosis on the left. (C) Voiding cystography showing high-grade vesicoureteral reflux on the left as a cause of dilatation of the collecting system. From reference , with permission.

FIGURE 4

Sequential exams of a patient with urogenital tuberculosis. (A) Initial IU with normal right kidney and left kidney with ureterohydronephrosis due to stenosis of the middle ureter (arrow) and intrarenal stenoses without pelvic dilatation (typical tuberculosis feature). (B) Cystography with normal bladder and no reflux. (C and D) IU and voiding cystography after 6 months without treatment, showing renal dysfunction on the left and ureterohydronephrosis on the right, with contracted bladder and bilateral vesicoureteral reflux (high grade on the right) as a cause of ureterohydronephrosis. From reference , with permission.

FIGURE 5

Voiding urethrocystography showing contracted bladder, no vesicoureteral reflux, and prostate tuberculosis, with dilatation and irregularities of the prostatic urethra. From reference , with permission.