DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF HRCT IN EVALUATION OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of HRCT (higher resolution CT scan) in evaluation of active pulmonary tuberculosis taking sputum AFB as gold standard. SUBJECT AND METHODS: Patients of either gender with low grade fever, productive cough for more than 3 months and history of weight loss were included in our study. CT scan with contrast was performed on Toshiba Aquilion with 120 KV and 250 mAs, with a high-spatial-frequency reconstruction algorithm, Slice thickness (1mm), window length – 550 & window width 1600 and patient positioned (supine and/or prone). Diagnostic accuracy of HRCT in evaluation of pulmonary tuberculosis was determined taking sputum AFB as gold standard. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients in our study was 33.74 ±10.69 years. Seventy three (77.7%) patients were of <40 years of age, 92 (97.9%) had productive cough while weight loss was found in 51(54.3%) patients. Sensitivity and specificity of HRCT taking AFB smear as a gold standard was found to be 87.34% and 93.33% respectively. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic accuracy of HRCT in evaluation of active pulmonary tuberculosis was found to be high. Key Words: Pulmonary tuberculosis, AFB sputum, HRCT