Abdominal tuberculosis: comparison of sonography and computed tomography

Abstract

Sonographic and computed tomography findings were retrospectively compared in 13 patients with proven abdominal tuberculosis who had both diagnostic modalities in their workup. The patients were treated over 9 years in two general hospitals in Kuwait. Ultrasound could detect the same findings as CT in 9 of 13 patients. Both had the same accuracy in detecting the type of ascites (in 6 patients) and solid organ tuberculosis (four lesions). Ultrasound gave useful information but could not completely replace CT as it detected less bowel thickening (3 of 5 lesions) and abdominal tuberculous lymphadenopathy (1 of 4 lesions) than CT scanning.