Imaging of tuberculosis--experience from 503 patients. I. Tuberculosis of the chest.

PURPOSE: To give an overview of 503 patients with tuberculosis (TB) and to describe the radiologic findings of chest TB.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 503 patients with proven TB were reviewed; 266 had chest involvement.

RESULTS: Lung lesions were demonstrated in 214 patients. Infiltrates in the basal parts of the lungs or pleural effusion were often primarily mistaken for viral or bacterial infections. Consolidations within the lungs and pleural thickening were sometimes indistinguishable from malignancy. Positive culture of the sputum without lung lesions was encountered in 12 cases. Enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes were demonstrated in 67 cases, 35 without lesions in the lungs. The lymphadenopathy could be extensive, and both clinically and radiologically indistinguishable from lymphoma.

CONCLUSION: Due to the present increase in incidence of TB and the fact that TB can mimic many other conditions, it is important that both clinicians and radiologists have TB high on the list for differential diagnoses.