Recent trend in the radiological presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis in Pakistani adults.

OBJECTIVE To determine the radiological presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis in adults and to compare it with that of other national and international studies. METHOD This prospective study was done on 150 newly diagnosed smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Two chest physicians reviewed the chest radiographs. Those x-rays were selected in which there were no difference of opinion. RESULTS There were 77 male and 73 females. The average age was 34.52 years with range of 17 to 80 years. Out of 150 films, eighty-seven (58%) showed the typical pattern (infiltration and/or nodules with or without cavitations, involving upper zone). While sixty three (42%) showed the atypical pattern (pattern other than typical one). CONCLUSION Typical pattern of pulmonary tuberculosis is still the common mode of presentation in adults but there is a trend toward increase in atypical pattern.