Tuberculosis Cases Resembling Mediastinal Masses

Abstract

Aim: Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has been commonly used especially in thoracic cancer staging. However, it can yield false positive results in infectious and inflammatory diseases such as tuberculosis. We aimed to present cases of mediastinal and hilar lymph node tuberculosis with standart uptake value (SUV) max >2.5 and undiagnosed with non-surgical procedures.
Methods: Between April and June 2012, invasive procedures were performed in11 patients who could not be diagnosed as tuberculosis despite laboratory and imaging tests.
Results: Patients included 3 men and 8 women with a mean age of 40.18 years. They underwent invasive surgical interventions for definitive diagnosis. Mediastinoscopy and thoracoscopy demonstrated tuberculosis.
Conclusion: Mediastinal and hilar masses may be seen in any age. They may have an asymptomatic course. They can be found on chest x-rays by chance. In differential diagnosis of these masses, tuberculosis is kept in mind where it is endemic.