Findings of HRCT Thorax in Patients of Sputum Positive Pulmonary Tuberculosis in a Tertiary Health Care Centre of North East India

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis is one of the most common infectious disease in developing country like India. Due to delay in diagnosis causes extensive lung damages leading to increased morbidity in patients. Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the various patterns of HRCT findings in cases of sputum positive pulmonary TB. In our study, findings of HRCT thorax of 50 patients of sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis are studied retrospectively. Result & Conclusion: Consolidation was the most common HRCT finding in these patients. These patients also showed other patterns such as tree in bud opacities, ill-defined patchy opacities, cavities, bronchiectasis etc. Additional features like pleural effusion, pneumothorax, tubercular spondylitis are also seen in many patients. HRCT thorax is a useful investigation modality used to diagnose as well as for follow up of patients. Keywords: Consolidation, Cavity, Bronchiectasis