CT manifestations of primary esophageal tuberculosis

Abstract Background Primary esophageal tuberculosis is an uncommon manifestation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in Asian adults, often presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can complicate diagnosis. This report details a case of primary esophageal tuberculosis in middle age female, emph...

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Main Authors: Zhong Huang, Shaoyong Zhang, Ruikun Liao, Zhi Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Infectious Diseases
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10865-y
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author Zhong Huang
Shaoyong Zhang
Ruikun Liao
Zhi Wang
author_facet Zhong Huang
Shaoyong Zhang
Ruikun Liao
Zhi Wang
author_sort Zhong Huang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Primary esophageal tuberculosis is an uncommon manifestation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in Asian adults, often presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can complicate diagnosis. This report details a case of primary esophageal tuberculosis in middle age female, emphasizing the diagnostic value of computed tomography (CT) imaging. Case presentation The patient, a 46-year-old female from Sichuan Province, China, experienced recurrent choking and mild retrosternal pain postprandially. She exhibited a weight loss of approximately 1 kg over a week, without additional symptoms such as dysphagia or fever. Esophagoscopy disclosed a small ulcer, and CT imaging revealed esophageal wall thickening with mucosal ulceration. A left thoracic lower and middle esophagectomy was conducted, with postoperative pathology confirming granulomatous inflammation, indicative of tuberculosis. Conclusions This case highlights the pivotal role of CT imaging in diagnosing primary esophageal tuberculosis. The imaging modality’s ability to delineate subtle mucosal ulcerations and wall thickening provides a crucial diagnostic advantage, facilitating accurate and timely diagnosis of this rare condition.
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spelling doaj-art-a3ff908e78f94d89a568ced40f24a80e2025-08-20T03:06:54ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342025-04-012511510.1186/s12879-025-10865-yCT manifestations of primary esophageal tuberculosisZhong Huang0Shaoyong Zhang1Ruikun Liao2Zhi Wang3Department of Radiology, Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Qijiang DistrictDepartment of Spleen and Stomach Diseases, Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Qijiang DistrictDepartment of Radiology, Shapingba Hospital affiliated to Chongqing University (Shapingba District People’s Hospital of Chongqing)Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Qijiang DistrictAbstract Background Primary esophageal tuberculosis is an uncommon manifestation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in Asian adults, often presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can complicate diagnosis. This report details a case of primary esophageal tuberculosis in middle age female, emphasizing the diagnostic value of computed tomography (CT) imaging. Case presentation The patient, a 46-year-old female from Sichuan Province, China, experienced recurrent choking and mild retrosternal pain postprandially. She exhibited a weight loss of approximately 1 kg over a week, without additional symptoms such as dysphagia or fever. Esophagoscopy disclosed a small ulcer, and CT imaging revealed esophageal wall thickening with mucosal ulceration. A left thoracic lower and middle esophagectomy was conducted, with postoperative pathology confirming granulomatous inflammation, indicative of tuberculosis. Conclusions This case highlights the pivotal role of CT imaging in diagnosing primary esophageal tuberculosis. The imaging modality’s ability to delineate subtle mucosal ulcerations and wall thickening provides a crucial diagnostic advantage, facilitating accurate and timely diagnosis of this rare condition.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10865-yPrimary esophageal tuberculosisMucosal ulcerationCaseous necrosisComputed tomography
spellingShingle Zhong Huang
Shaoyong Zhang
Ruikun Liao
Zhi Wang
CT manifestations of primary esophageal tuberculosis
BMC Infectious Diseases
Primary esophageal tuberculosis
Mucosal ulceration
Caseous necrosis
Computed tomography
title CT manifestations of primary esophageal tuberculosis
title_full CT manifestations of primary esophageal tuberculosis
title_fullStr CT manifestations of primary esophageal tuberculosis
title_full_unstemmed CT manifestations of primary esophageal tuberculosis
title_short CT manifestations of primary esophageal tuberculosis
title_sort ct manifestations of primary esophageal tuberculosis
topic Primary esophageal tuberculosis
Mucosal ulceration
Caseous necrosis
Computed tomography
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10865-y
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AT shaoyongzhang ctmanifestationsofprimaryesophagealtuberculosis
AT ruikunliao ctmanifestationsofprimaryesophagealtuberculosis
AT zhiwang ctmanifestationsofprimaryesophagealtuberculosis