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Citation:
Weerakkody Y, Luong D, Kang O, et al. Tuberculous pleuritis. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 15 Feb 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-78816
Tuberculous pleuritis is a form of pleural tuberculosis and refers to inflammation of the pleura due to infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is considered the second most common form of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis 1. It may progress into a tuberculous empyema.
It may be commoner in young males and afflicted patients tend to be younger than those who get pulmonary tuberculosis 2.
In most cases, tuberculous pleuritis is believed to stem from either rupture of a subpleural granuloma into the pleural space or dissemination of the mycobacteria via pleural lymphatics.
Imaging findings may vary depending on stage/chronicity of disease. There is often pleural thickening and in certain stages, a pleural effusion may be present 7. Co-existing parenchymal lesions of tuberculosis may be observed in a high proportion of patients (e.g. over 80% 3,6). Classically, some cases may demonstrate a pleural tuberculoma. Ultrasound of the chest will demonstrate septations with a loculated pleural effusion 8.
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2. Porcel JM. Advances in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleuritis. (2016) Annals of translational medicine. 4 (15): 282. doi:10.21037/atm.2016.07.23 - Pubmed
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3. Jeon D. Tuberculous pleurisy: an update. (2014) Tuberculosis and respiratory diseases. 76 (4): 153-9. doi:10.4046/trd.2014.76.4.153 - Pubmed
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4. Antonangelo L, Vargas FS, Puka J, Seiscento M, Acencio MM, Teixeira LR, Terra RM, Sales RK. Pleural tuberculosis: is radiological evidence of pulmonary-associated disease related to the exacerbation of the inflammatory response?. (2012) Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil). 67 (11): 1259-63. doi:10.6061/clinics/2012(11)06 - Pubmed
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5. Hyae Young Kim, Koun-Sik Song, Jin Mo Goo, Jin Seong Lee, Kyoung Soo Lee, Tae-Hwan Lim. Thoracic Sequelae and Complications of Tuberculosis1. (2001) RadioGraphics. 21 (4): 839-58; discussion 859-60. doi:10.1148/radiographics.21.4.g01jl06839 - Pubmed
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6. Shaw J, et al. Pleural Tuberculosis: A Concise Clinical Review. (2018) The clinical respiratory journal. doi:10.1111/crj.12900 - Pubmed
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7. Skouras V, Skouras KI, Skouras. Pleural fluid tests to diagnose tuberculous pleuritis. (2016) Current opinion in pulmonary medicine. doi:10.1097/MCP.0000000000000277 - Pubmed
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8. Jeon D. Tuberculous pleurisy: an update. (2014) Tuberculosis and respiratory diseases. 76 (4): 153-9. doi:10.4046/trd.2014.76.4.153 - Pubmed
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