Different Radiological Manifestations of pulmonary Tuberculosis

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis is a major public health problem affecting around 9million people and causing 2 million deaths each year. A number of investigations are carried out to diagnose pulmonary tuberculosis; these includesputum smear for acid fast bacillus, Gene Xpert and the bronchoscopy.However, due to low sensitivity and/or cost effectiveness, chest X-rays are stillcommonly used for diagnostic purposes. This study was performed to knowthe different radiographic findings in diagnosed cases of PulmonaryTuberculosis.Methodology: It was a cross sectional study performed on 144 diagnosedcases of pulmonary tuberculosis in the pulmonology unit of Ayub TeachingHospital Abbottabad, from 1st September 2017 to 31st August 2018. Chest Xray was performed on all patients included in the study and their findings wererecorded in a pro forma.Results: The study population comprised of 144 TB patients of either sex whohad been newly diagnosed with TB. The youngest study participant was 18years old and the age of the oldest study participant was 92 years with mean ±SD age was 47.08±18.37. There were 72 males (50%) and 72 females (50%).Sputum smear was positive in 80 (55.6%) while negative in 64(44.4%). Pleuraleffusion was found in 44.4% of patients, while apical consolidation andcavitation found in 43.1% and 25% respectively.Conclusion: Our study concluded that pleural effusion and consolidationwere the most common radiographic findings followed by hilarlymphadenopathy and cavitation.