TB Research

Imaging Modalities in Tuberculosis

Jamshed B. Bomanji, Fawziah Alorfi, Sarah Algodayan, Alimuddin Zumla, N. Gupta, Parveen Gulati, Chandan J. Das

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine · 2026-03

Abstract

F-FDG PET-CT]) provide critical insights into pulmonary, extrapulmonary, and disseminated TB. While chest X-ray is a first-line tool, CT and MRI offer superior anatomical detail, and PET-CT adds metabolic evaluation, aiding differentiation of active versus inactive disease and monitoring therapeutic response. Imaging is especially valuable in TB involving the central nervous system (CNS), musculoskeletal system, abdomen, and genitourinary tract. Advanced techniques and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tools hold promise for enhancing diagnostic accuracy and guiding personalized treatment. This review comprehensively reviews the imaging spectrum of TB, underscoring its evolving role across the disease continuum.

MeSH terms

  • Medicine
  • Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Positron emission tomography
  • Modalities
  • Tuberculosis
  • Radiology
  • Medical imaging
  • Disease
  • Computed tomography
  • Medical physics
  • Functional imaging
  • Modality (human–computer interaction)
  • Review article
  • Genitourinary system
  • Tomography