Ghon lesion

A Ghon lesion, sometimes called a Ghon focus, represents a tuberculous caseating granuloma (tuberculoma) and represents a sequela of primary pulmonary tuberculosis infection.

Terminology

Radiologically, this term is used quite loosely to refer to a calcified granuloma; technically, the Ghon lesion is the initial tuberculous granuloma formed during primary infection and is not radiologically visible unless it calcifies - this occurs in up to 15% of cases ⁴.

A Ghon focus alongside ipsilateral mediastinal lymphadenopathy is known as a Ghon complex. A calcified Ghon complex (Ghon lesion and ipsilateral mediastinal lymph node) is called a Ranke complex, which is radiologically detectable. Thus the Ranke complex represents a progression of the Ghon complex, rather than being a separate entity in itself ⁴.

History and etymology

Anton Ghon (1866-1936) was an Austrian pathologist who spent his life researching tuberculosis and meningitis ³.