Mediastinal tuberculous abscess in a 7-year-old boy.

Posterior mediastinal masses are usually neurogenic tumours, and isolated mediastinal tuberculous abscess is extremely unusual. In countries with a high burden of tuberculosis, tuberculosis should be considered in the list of differential diagnoses of mediastinal masses or abscesses, even when there are no associated pulmonary abnormalities. The immunologic screening tests are not enough to establish the diagnosis of active tuberculosis, however, the repeated imaging study after a period of anti-tubercular treatment revealed obvious mass regression, which supported the diagnosis. It is also unlike reported cases of lymphobronchial tuberculosis (lymph gland disease involving the airways which causes critical airway obstruction), in which endoscopic or transthoracic enucleation of the lymph node is sometimes performed.[[12]] This case reminds us that in countries with a high burden of tuberculosis, MTB should be considered as a differential diagnosis of mediastinal masses or abscesses, even when there are no associated pulmonary abnormalities. [Extracted from the article]