Genitourinary tuberculosis in pediatric urological practice

Incidental diagnosis of renal tuberculosis in an adolescent submitted to videolaparoscopic nefrectomy

“…The radiological abnormalities include calcification, cortical scaring, caliceal cavitation and destruction, ureteral strictures or irregularity, smallcapacity bladder and non-visualized kidney [1]. An enhancing renal mass is a rare presentation; in such cases, renal cell carcinomas, renal metastasis, lymphomas or abscesses are usually considered in the differential diagnosis [17].…”

“…Renal TB can be cured without surgical intervention; however, surgical management is required in a minority of cases and may be either excisional or reconstructive and every effort must be made to preserve functioning renal tissue [1]. In cases where the lesion involves the renal parenchyma or where the kidney remains non-functioning despite adequate drainage for an obstructing lesion, nephrectomy ensures removal of the infective pathology and decreases chances of resurgence of the disease [20,21].…”

“…Genitourinary tuberculosis (TB) is very uncommon in children as the symptoms of renal tuberculosis do not appear for 5 to 10 years after primary pulmonary infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis due to endogenous reactivation [1]. It is the most common extrathoracic form of TB and accounts for less than 3-4% of all pulmonary TB cases [2,3].…”

“…However, diagnosis is often delayed and a number of children present with non-functioning kidneys, obstructured ureters, shrunken bladders and even chronic renal failure [1,8].…”

Urinary tuberculosis: Modern issues

“…In a study by Nerli et al [11], primary presentations in 17 children with genitourinary tuberculosis from a developing nation were storage and lower urinary tract symptoms. The predominant organ was the ureter in seven (41%) cases.…”