Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Radiologist, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran

2 Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran

3 Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

4 General Practitioner, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

5 Nurse, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran

Abstract

Background & Aims: Tuberculosis is one of the most important causes of mortality in the world and if it is
not treated, 50 – 65% of patients would die in five years. Chest X-ray has an important role in the diagnosis
of TB and early diagnosis and treatment prevent tuberculosis transmission. In this study we evaluated
radiologic manifestations of patients with smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Zabol.
Method: In this cross – sectional study, 325 patients with smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis from
March 2004 to March 2005 were evaluated. Radiologic findings were recorded in a questionnaire and
analyzed.
Results: From 325 patients with smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis, 116(35.7%) were male and
209(64.3%) were female.The most frequent involved site was left upper lobe [175(53.8%)] followed by right
upper lobe [134(41.2%)]. The most frequent radiologic finding was bronchopneumonia with 242 cases
(74.4%). Patchy consolidation in 99 patients (30.4%), cavitary lesion in 68 ones (20.9%) and pleural effusion
in 35 patients (10.7%) were observed. In 8 cases (2.4%) CXRs were normal. After six months treatment and
according to CXRs, 90 patients (27.7%) recovered completely, 169 cases (52%) had slight recovery and 66
patients (20.3%) did not have any changes.
Conclusion: Pulmonary upper lobes were the most frequent involved sites. Since pulmonary TB has
different radiologic manifestations and chest X-ray has an important role in the early diagnosis and
preventing transmission, careful attention to radiologic manifestations especially in upper lobes and
considering TB as one of the differential diagnosis are highly recommended. 

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