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, 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.