Radiologic Manifestations of Patients with Smear Positive Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Zabol

Background & Aims: Tuberculosis is one of the most important causes of mortality in the world and if it is not treated, ۵۰ – ۶۵% 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, ۳۲۵ patients with smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis from March ۲۰۰۴ to March ۲۰۰۵ were evaluated. Radiologic findings were recorded in a questionnaire and analyzed. Results: From ۳۲۵ patients with smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis, ۱۱۶(۳۵.۷%) were male and ۲۰۹(۶۴.۳%) were female.The most frequent involved site was left upper lobe [۱۷۵(۵۳.۸%)] followed by right upper lobe [۱۳۴(۴۱.۲%)]. The most frequent radiologic finding was bronchopneumonia with ۲۴۲ cases (۷۴.۴%). Patchy consolidation in ۹۹ patients (۳۰.۴%), cavitary lesion in ۶۸ ones (۲۰.۹%) and pleural effusion in ۳۵ patients (۱۰.۷%) were observed. In ۸ cases (۲.۴%) CXRs were normal. After six months treatment and according to CXRs, ۹۰ patients (۲۷.۷%) recovered completely, ۱۶۹ cases (۵۲%) had slight recovery and ۶۶ patients (۲۰.۳%) 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.