PULMONARY SEQUELAE IN TUBERCULOSIS: ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL AND RADIOLOGICAL PATTERN IN 172 PATIENTS

BACKGROUND
\nTuberculosis is a disease of major public concern in developing countries like India. Approximately one third of world’s population
\nis estimated to be infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Lungs are being the most common and often the first site to be
\ninfected with tuberculosis bacilli. Radiological imaging plays an important role both in the diagnosis as well as in identification
\nof sequelae and complications arising out of Tuberculosis.
\n The aim of this study was to determine the imaging features of post tuberculosis sequelae and complications of thoracic
\ntuberculosis affecting the lung parenchyma, airways, pleurae & mediastinum.
\nMATERIALS AND METHODS
\nIt’s a prospective and non-randomised study, conducted in 172 patients during the time period of November 2016 to August
\n2018 at a tertiary referral hospital located in coastal part of India.
\nRESULTS
\nMean age of study population was 46.3 years with male:female ratio of 12:5. Among the study population, 37% of the patients
\nhad received ATT for the first time and 63% of patients had received more than once. The most common radiological findings
\nwere fibrosis (66%) and bronchiectasis (39%). Other parenchymal, airway, pleural and mediastinal complications are also
\nsummarized.
\nCONCLUSION
\nEarly diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis prevents the development of late sequelae, thereby reducing the
\nmorbidity and mortality associated with it. Knowledge of these complications helps both radiologists and the respiratory
\nphysicians in ruling out the active disease and unnecessary treatment.
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