Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: The current guidelines for diagnosis of adult chest tuberculosis (TB) are based primarily on the demonstration of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) on sputum microscopy. Hence; the present study was conducted for evaluating Chest Radiographic Findings in Primary Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Materials & methods: A total of fifty children in whom culture-proved TB was present were enrolled. Complete demographic and clinical details of all the patients was obtained. Chest radiographic examinations was done in all the patients. The initial chest radiographs of the students with newly diagnosed TB were reviewed in and assessed for the presence of lung parenchymal abnormalities. The distributions (upper or lower zone) and the laterality (unilateral or bilateral) of lung lesions were also analyzed. Results: Small nodules were seen in 90 percent of the subjects while large nodules were present in 70 percent of the subjects. Cavitation was seen in 42 percent of the subjects while consolidation was seen 28 percent of the subjects. Upper lung zone involvement was seen in 52 percent of the patients while lower lung involvement was seen in 18 percent of the patients. Bilateral involvement was seen in 30 percent of the patients. Conclusion: Typical CT findings of pulmonary TB include centrilobular small nodules, opacities, and cavitation.