Multimodality Imaging of Genitourinary Tuberculosis

Isolated testicular tuberculosis: A case report

Genitourinary tuberculosis (GUTB) constitutes 20 % of extrapulmonary TB cases, with isolated testicular involvement being rare (2-4%). This case details a 41-year-old male with chronic left scrotal swelling, fistulization, and purulent discharge, ultimately diagnosed with testicular tuberculosis. Diagnostic imaging and histopathology confirmed caseating granulomas and acid-fast bacilli. The patient underwent high inguinal orchidectomy and was treated with a standard four-drug anti-tuberculosis regimen. Postoperative semen analysis revealed persistent azoospermia, indicating permanent fertility impairment. This case underscores the importance of considering GUTB in differential diagnoses of testicular masses, particularly in TB-endemic regions.

Case report: Systemic tuberculosis with prostate involvement mimicking prostate cancer with multiple metastases on 18F-FDG and 18F-PSMA PET/CT

Background

Prostate tuberculosis is a common form of urogenital tuberculosis that occurs in men. Clinical and imaging manifestations of prostate tuberculosis are atypical, which often need to be differentiated from benign prostatic hyperplasia, a prostate malignant tumor, and a urinary tract infection. Although prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is considered a specific biomarker for prostate cancer, it is also found within tuberculosis tissues that may be stimulated by angiogenic factors. An abnormal PSMA uptake on positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT) should eliminate the possibility of tuberculosis.

Case report

In this study, we reported a case of a 51-year-old man with an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) but a normal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value. 2-Deoxy-2-[fluorine-18]-fluoro-D-glucose (18F-FDG) and [fluorine-18]-prostate-specific membrane antigen (18F-PSMA) PET/CT scans were performed for further evaluation. The prostate showed a high fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) uptake but a slight PSMA uptake. Multiple osteolytic bone destruction and lymph nodes with an increased FDG uptake but a mild PSMA uptake were observed throughout the body. Systemic tuberculosis was diagnosed based on the prostate biopsy and the positive result of the T-cell spot test regarding tuberculosis infection. After 6 months of standard anti-tuberculosis treatment, the patient experienced symptom relief.

Conclusion

In the case of a urinary tract infection, where the prostate shows high FDG uptake lesions with perilesional abscess, a mildly increased PSMA uptake, a low PSA value, a high ESR, and relevant clinical symptoms, tuberculosis should be considered and laboratory tests are required, especially when symptoms are relieved after successful anti-tuberculosis therapy. The final confirmation of the diagnosis still relies on pathological examination.

Genitourinary Tuberculosis: A Brief Manual for Urologists on Diagnosis and Treatment from the European Association of Urology Urological Infections Panel

Although tuberculosis (TB) ranks among the most frequent infectious diseases worldwide, one of its extrapulmonary (EP) manifestations, genitourinary (GU) TB, is often underestimated by urologists, particularly in areas such as Europe where TB is not endemic. The aim of this review is to give urologists a concise overview of GUTB as a supplement to the more comprehensive European Association of Urology 2023 update on urological infections guidelines. EPTB can develop in 16% of TB cases. GUTB accounts for 4.6% of EPTB and is often asymptomatic or nonspecific, so it can be confused with other urogenital diseases. GUTB can be highly destructive, leading to failure of urogenital organs. Diagnosis is via microbiological, molecular, and histological testing for urine, genital secretions, or genitourinary tissue, supported by imaging. A 6-mo combinational medical regimen is the first-line treatment for GUTB. However, surgical interventions are also frequently required for the treatment of GUTB complications. Therefore, it is important to keep GUTB in mind for differential diagnosis. PATIENT SUMMARY: We reviewed scientific studies on the occurrence, diagnosis, and treatment of tuberculosis in the genitourinary tract. Our aim is to raise awareness among urologists from countries where this disease does not occur frequently, as urogenital tuberculosis can occur without any symptoms or with unspecific symptoms that can be confused with other diseases.

Imaging Spectrum of Female Genital Tuberculosis: A Comprehensive Review

Female genital tuberculosis is a relatively uncommon form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis that is under-reported and under-recognized. The early course of the disease has fewer manifestations, resulting in late presentation with grave complications like infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Also, difficulty in isolation of the causative bacteria further delays the diagnosis. The radiologist should be well versed with imaging findings of female genital TB to help the clinicians to initiate prompt treatment. This review shall cover imaging findings of female genital TB involving fallopian tubes, uterus, ovaries, cervix, vagina, and vulva on different imaging modalities. Fallopian tubes are almost always involved in genital TB followed by uterus and ovaries. Hysterosalpingogram and ultrasound can best detect tubercular changes in fallopian tubes and uterus whereas cross-sectional imaging is essential for the diagnosis of ovarian or peritoneal TB as they closely mimic malignancy. Cervical, vaginal, or vulval TB produces nonspecific changes and histopathological diagnosis is required for confirmation of the diagnoses. Close differential diagnosis on imaging like malignancy or pelvic inflammatory disease, are also discussed with a brief discussion of the pathogenesis.