Genitourinary tuberculosis - report of two cases

The incidence of urogenital tuberculosis has decreased in recent years. However, due to insidious character, it remains clinically important. The recognition of the multiple radiological findings is of great importance. In the early stages, the excretory urogram may be normal in spite of positive urine cultures for acid-fast organisms. Subsequently, the calyces may present irregularities. The use of ultrasonography in the evaluation of renal tuberculosis has been sporadically described in the literature. It can determine the site of the obstruction when there is a nonfunctioning kidney. Computed tomography may demonstrate the presence and the site of the obstruction, and evaluate any remaining renal function after injection of contrast medium. Its ability to detect calcification surpasses that of plain films. The renal parenchyma may also be evaluated in the obstructed kidney. (author)